India’s ambitious Moon mission, Chandrayaan-3, is on the brink of a historic landing on the lunar surface today, marking a significant milestone for the nation’s space exploration endeavours. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has confirmed that the mission remains on schedule, and its live telecast is slated to commence at 5:20 pm, with the anticipated landing time around 6:04 pm.
In a heart-warming initiative that has captured the spirit of this event, Mr. Gunjan Mishra, a 2016-batch officer of the Indian Post & Telecommunication Accounts & Finance Service (IP&TAFS), has pioneered “Mission Chandra.” This program aims to nurture a love for astronomy and space science among engineering college students in Gujarat, coinciding with Chandrayaan-3’s momentous landing.
Speaking with Indian Masterminds, Mr. Mishra, who is the Joint Controller in Department of Telecommunication, Gujarat, shared details about his initiative.
MISSION CHANDRA
Mr. Mishra’s brainchild, Mission Chandra, wherein CHANDRA stands for Care and HAND holding to R ouse interest in A stronomy. The initiative was conceived on the day Chandrayaan-3 was launched. Recognizing the widespread enthusiasm surrounding the lunar landing, he proposed a plan to his senior officer Ms. Jayati Samaddar, Controller of Communication Accounts, who not only immediately accepted the idea but also encouraged to take it even higher level. After initial discussions with ISRO, the detailed plan was refined and approved.
“Without Controller Ma’ams support and guidance, this initiative would not have been possible,” Mr. Mishra stated.
The essence of Mission Chandra lies in its ability to educate and inspire the youth about the intricacies of space exploration. The main concept was to organize a science competition for engineering college students in Gujarat. “During the preliminary round, students from 2nd, 3rd, and 4th years were tasked with creating a digital model of the Chandrayaan-3 launch vehicle, lander or rover. In the final round, participants would bring their designs to life through physical models,” the officer informed.
JUDGING CRITERIA
The judging criteria were based on the accuracy of the digital models in replicating the actual Chandrayaan-3 components and the students’ ability to effectively demonstrate their understanding through the physical models. The winners of this competition will receive a cash prize of Rs. 1 Lakh along with certificates. “Furthermore, the most enticing reward is the chance for the winners to witness the lunar landing event live today from ISRO itself,” he added.
Over 80 teams with more than 300 students across engineering colleges of Gujarat competed with their Digital 3D models on 19 August 2023 at Auditorium 1 Science City. Out of the 80 teams, 11 teams emerged as winners.
Currently, 11 teams comprising of 43 students are in attendance to witness the historic event directly at ISRO.
FINAL ROUND
The final round of evaluation is scheduled for September 25, 2023, during which the top three winners will earn an internship opportunity with ISRO, thus linking their passion for space science with a potential career path. The competition has garnered support from Controller of Communication Accounts, Gujarat circle, ISRO, Gujarat Science City, and Gujarat council on Science and Technology.
Mission Chandra’s success reflects the power of collaborative efforts to ignite young minds’ passion for science and technology. As the program focuses on encouraging students to explore careers in fields like Astronomy, Health, and Education, Mr. Gunjan Mishra’s creative idea seeks to guide the next generation toward meaningful and impactful pursuits.
As Chandrayaan-3 prepares for its momentous landing, it not only marks a scientific achievement but also symbolizes India’s commitment to inspiring future generations to reach for the stars.
