G Madhavan Nair addresses the techno-cultural fest at IIT, Patna, on Friday. Picture by Nagendra Kumar Singh

Patna, Feb. 4: Indian scientists are paid much less as compared to those from developed countries and that is a reason behind the lack of growth in Indian space technology, said G. Madhavan Nair, former chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro).

Nair was speaking at the inauguration of Anwesha, a techno-cultural fest at IIT, Patna.

When The Telegraph asked about the reason behind the recent failure of the Indian space programme when one of its communication satellites aboard a Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle (GSLV) exploded less than a minute after lift-off from the spaceport at Sriharikota, he said: “Rocket technology is a complex phenomenon. Globally, around 10 per cent of such space programmes remain unsuccessful.”

The former chairman said a report is being prepared by ISRO on the GSLV failure.

“In order to perform scientific experiments, one needs expensive equipment as well as a proper infrastructure. Talent alone, is not enough. Indian scientists are intelligent and as knowledgeable as anyone. Even our students are more competitive. However, ideating is one thing and working on it is a completely different ball game. The most important requirement to execute an idea and carry out experiments in an effective manner are the latest equipments, without which it is handicapped,” he said.

Speaking at the inauguration of the fest, Nair said: “The Indian scientist should develop innovative solutions from which the people of the country can benefit. A large section of the country’s population still do not have access to safe drinking water, a basic requirement of life. Efforts should be made to strengthen food and energy security.”

The space man also stressed the need for tapping solar energy, more importantly because India receives sunlight almost throughout the year. “The petrol, diesel and other non-renewable sources of energy are getting depleted day by day and in a such situation efforts should be made to generate energy through renewable sources of energy,” Nair said.

He pointed out that the use of space technology is useful in rural development, development of healthcare facilities, and spread of education in villages and remote areas. Apart from these space technology through remote sensing satellite is analysing natural calamity and even the groundwater table.

Students from 10 colleges, including IIT Patna, BIT Patna, NIT Patna and ISM Dhanbad and Maulana Azad Engineering College, are participating in the fest.