Slashdot Mirror
India Debating Manned Space Flight
alphakappa writes "India's moon mission and other space programs have been covered before on Slashdot. India is now debating sending a manned space mission and has acknowledged it's technological preparedness to do so in the next 6-7 years if given the go-ahead. The issues being debated before starting work on the mission include cost-benefit and other space priorities. (These missions also play host to international experiments) What does the general slashdot crowd think of these space plans?"
Imagine, Canadians in space. What a crazy idea.
Imagine if they put Canadian made parts on the shuttle or ISS.
That's not outsourcing; that's the hiring of immigrants. Outsourcing would be if the NASA facilities themselves were located in India, and the staff were paid in rubles.
Of course you have a very limited view. It is said "you need to spend money to make money". You are totally unaware of how much space missions from ISRO has helping Indian Villages, etc. By making something that is very cost effective India can bag contracts from other countries to launch their vehicles, etc providing them revenue. You should not just see expenditure but "net gain".
The issue isn't the squalor they live in, for some of those people they don't see it as squalor. Many live as those who lived before them and it is by OUR standards that their living standards are not acceptable
Your comment may apply to many rural villages where a simple yet poor life has continued for generations. However, there is also real squalor as well. Overpopulation combined with poor sanitation and rampant disease plague the sprawling slums of bombay, calcutta, etc. About 150 million people live in slums in India, and it hasn't always been like this. Bombay alone has over 4 million,/a>. That's why organizations like this one exist.
The efficient British administration bungled on this as late as Bengal Famine, 1943. In fact, 3 million are supposed to have died in this famine, and caused , among other things, caused Amartya Sen to take up economics, in particular, famine studies.
On the other hand, basic science (like space research) deserves to be encouraged by all (civilized) nations. Imagine medieval Italians or 18th century Britons waiting till all poverty was eradicated. Science and civilization do not progress in such a manner.
It's rupees, not rubles.
http://www.sea-launch.com/organization.htm/
You were saying about Boeing and commercial space launch?
I would almost agree with you, but not quite.
Southern India, coastal regions, urban areas, you'll find well-educated, secular people who share most of the same values we do. North India, more rural and remote areas are in fact far more religious and conservative. Those lovely scenes on CNN where Indians were rioting and butchering Muslims and celebrating? Thats the general kind of mentality I'm talking about. Honor killings, forced marriages, old-fashioned intolerance. This is changing, but religious and tribal authority still overrides national authority in much of the North.
There have been 3 wars with Pakistan for a reason, everyone there isn't as peace-loving as you seem to think.
My family is South Indian, and overall while they are prejudiced against northerners I try not to share that, but I have noticed differences between the Indians I grew up with here and others I've met. Just like there are red and blue states but one US, there are different levels of education and beliefs in India.
Just trying to give you a better picture of what the country is like.
The first rule of USENET is you do not talk about USENET.
ISRO.
he he dont worry mate..I am indian and found the thought absolutely funny :)
Finally something that made me post my views to ./ For starters, I am an Indian living in the US.
First, I should salute the original poster for having the heart to come back & apologize for his/her condescending remark. I have seen many dish out belittling comments like that in the past about India & have abosoultely no remorse whatsoever.
This captures the gist of one of biggest lessons I have learnt after coming to this country. Humans, operate on stereotypes a lot more than they think they do. Where else will I learn this other than from living in the melting pot of world cultures, United States.
The problem with the stereotypes is that they don't justify reality. For example, before I came here, I thought of America as Utopia. Everyone is happy, educated, smart & has decent living conditions. I was shocked to learn that double digits percentage of the population was illiterate & lived below poverty line. I was also shocked to see how religiously conservative this country is.
Similarly, India is not full of cows & half-naked people & diseases. Overpopulation is India's biggest problem & it infact amazes me how much we have accomplished 'in spite of' the problems it faces. I am not going to go in to the boastful mode. I am sure you have heard or will hear about it.
In terms of the humor, lets face it, everyone deserves to have their personal opinion on things. But, the context in which you share it with others is important. A world renowned place like Slashdot is definitely not the context. Take Brit golfer Paul Casey's comments on America for that matter. He said, "Americans are stupid" to some British press two days ago. His sponsor Titelist pulled out of the contract right away & many American golfers condemned his remark. Could we expect Americans to say, "Oh, cummon, that is his personal opinion. Lets move on". No, of course they will be aggravated. Because, they know not ALL americans are stupid. The same way, not ALL Indians are grazing cows.
For those who brought up Pakistan, glad you did. I will not be surprised if India offered a seat for Pakistan in its mission. We are brothers and sisters after all & you will be surprised how many friendship gestures are shared by the us.
To summarize,
"Let noble come to us from all sides"
-Rig Veda (3000+ years old Indian scripture)