Mangaluru, (The Hindu): Chairman of the Space Commission A.S. Kiran Kumar on Tuesday said the ISRO has been a champion in demonstrating the use of space technology for societal good.

He was speaking after inaugurating the Speakers’ Club, Rostrum, at Alva’s Education Foundation in Moodbidri near here.

Space technology, as the powerful enabler, provides a variety of vital inputs for holistic and rapid development of the country. ISRO has launched many satellites since the space programme was set up in 1969 for various scientific and technological applications. It includes tele-fishery, mobile communications, broadcasting, meteorological observations, telemedicine, tele-education, disaster warning, search and rescue operations, he said. Dr. Kumar said: “Science and technology itself is neutral, but it is the person who decides whether it is used for good or bad. Taken for an example, atom power can be utilised for nuclear explosion or power plant. However, knowledge and skill you acquire needs a strong character to mould it for larger benefit of the society.”

“At this point in time, we have to significantly enhance our capacity in our basic capabilities of observation, communication and navigation,” he said. Technologies that would help in sending an Indian astronaut to space by 2022, as announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, would be another milestone in the history of ISRO, he said. Alva's Education Foundation managing trustee Vivek Alva and others were present.

At another event in Alva’s, human rights activist Raveendranath Shanbhog on Tuesday said all problems could be resolved under legal framework if planned meticulously. Dr. Shanbhog was delivering a special lecture on trafficking of women and protection to the elderly at a programme organised by Prevention of Sexual Harassment and Human Rights Cell of Alva's Education Foundation.