India's Space Programme: Five things to know
• 76th Republic Day of India
Published: 10:15 pm Jan 26, 2025
India's space programme, led by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has achieved global recognition for its innovative and inclusive approach to space technology. For Nepal, this shared neighbourhood of aspirations offers opportunities for collaboration and inspiration:
1. Shared Innovation Stories: ISRO has shown that world-class achievements don't require extravagant budgets. With its cost-efficient missions, such as the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan), ISRO has demonstrated ingenuity and determination can achieve wonders - a model of innovation that resonates deeply with Nepal's rations.
2. Regional Satellites for Common Benefits: The South Asia Satellite (GSAT-9) is a testament to India's commitment to regional collaboration. Nepal has been a part of this initiative, benefitting from enhanced communication and disaster management capacities. Building on this, future partnerships in satellite technology could enhance regional resilience.
3. Opportunities for Knowledge Exchange: India has offered platforms for Nepali scientists and researchers to engage in space science training and technology sharing. Expanding the collaborations could foster mutual learning and innovation.
4. Earth Observation for Shared Challenges: With both countries experiencing similar environmental challenges - floods, landslides, and deforestation - ISRO's Earth Observation Satellites could be instrumental in addressing these issues collectively, strengthening disaster preparedness and resource management.
5. Inspiring the Next Generation Together: Nepal and India can work together to inspire their youth to dream big, particularly in STEM fields. Environmental sustainability is another pressing area where the youth of both nations can collaborate. Programmes like India's Green Skill Development Programme could be expanded to include Nepali participants, equipping young people with the skills to tackle challenges like deforestation and water conservation.
The tourism and hospitality sectors, critical to the economies of both India and Nepal, also offer untapped potential for youth collaboration. By jointly training young people in tourism management and creating cross-border packages that promote shared heritage sites such as Lumbini and Varanasi, the two nations can attract global tourists while providing meaningful employment opportunities for their youth.
By building on these programmes and infusing them with fresh ideas, India and Nepal can create a dynamic ecosystem of youth collaboration that drives regional growth.
Strengthened by shared vision and commitment, these initiatives have the potential to transform the demographic dividend of both nations into a powerful force for innovation, unity, and prosperity.