Tripura to use space technology for border security, agriculture and development
Agartala, Aug 18 (IANS) Tripura Science, Technology and Environment Minister Animesh Debbarma on Tuesday said space technology would be used on a larger scale to monitor security along the India–Bangladesh border and support agricultural and development activities in the state.
Ahead of National Space Day on August 23, a seminar was organised at Pragna Bhawan to create awareness among the younger generation about the importance and applications of space science and technology.
Addressing the seminar, Debbarma said India created history on August 23, 2023, by successfully landing a spacecraft on the Moon through the Chandrayaan-3 mission, and the day is observed as National Space Day to commemorate the achievement. The successful landing of the Vikram lander marked a new chapter in India’s space research, he said.
Debbarma, who also holds the Forest and Environment portfolio, urged students to develop a scientific temperament, saying new ideas, curiosity and imagination form the foundation of progress in science and technology. He also highlighted the contribution of Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma to India’s space research.
The Minister said satellites play a major role in state development, with applications in sectors such as weather forecasting, agriculture and disaster management.
Highlighting the continued achievements of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Debbarma said humans and machines must work together to accelerate development. “Although Tripura may be a small state, its dreams must be big,” he said, urging the younger generation to come forward with innovative ideas to help realise the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
The Tripura Space Applications Centre (TSAC) and the North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC), Shillong, jointly organised the event. NESAC scientist Shyam S. Kundu urged students to consider starting their own startups and highlighted the growing opportunities in science and technology.
He said that under the NE-SPARKS initiative, students from the Northeast were introduced to various opportunities in science. Kundu added that, as part of a special initiative of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, 800 students from the Northeast – 100 from each of the eight states – visited an ISRO centre in Bengaluru.
He also highlighted the Young Scientist Programme organised by ISRO, through which school students gain exposure to and deeper knowledge of various areas of science.
Kundu discussed the use of space and other technologies in disaster management and explained how technological interventions can help plan and implement effective measures to tackle disasters.
Chaitanya Murthy, Principal Secretary of the Department of Science, Technology and Environment, Tripura, urged students to pursue studies in science and build successful careers in the field.
–IANS
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