Science : India's Mars Mission - not for pride, but business

As India prepares to launch its Rs. 450 crore mission to Mars this year, a top space official said the country’s first martian odyssey — that has attracted some criticism — is not just for pride but for undertaking “meaningful research”.

K. Radhakrishnan, Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), also debunked perception in some quarters that the Mars Orbiter mission around the red planet, that’s just three months away, is primarily a “feel-good” package to just pat ourselves on the back.

“It’s not for pride because the exploration of Mars has its own scientific value and possibly a future habitat which people are talking about...may be 20 years...30 years from now...it’s possible”, he said in an interview, referring to the colonisation angle.

India will be the sixth country to launch a mission to Mars after the U.S., Russia, Europe, Japan and China.

ISRO says the primary objectives are to demonstrate India’s technological capability to send a satellite to orbit around Mars and conduct meaningful experiments such as looking for signs of life, take pictures of the red planet and study Martian environment.

“What’s the most interesting question on Mars? Life. So, we talk about Methane...which is of biological origin or geological origin. So, we have a methane sensor plus a thermal infrared spectrometer. These two together should be able to give some information”, said Mr. Radhakrishnan, who is also Secretary in the Department of Space.

Critics of the Indian Mars mission wondered whether the country can afford huge costs for this space voyage.

The Mars satellite, which would be launched on board Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-XL), will carry compact science experiments, totalling a mass of 15 kg. There will be five instruments to study Martian surface, atmosphere and mineralogy.

After leaving earth orbit in November, the spacecraft will cruise in deep space for 10 months using its own propulsion system and will reach Mars (Martian transfer trajectory) in September 2014.

The 1350 kg spacecraft subsequently is planned to enter into a 372 km by 80,000 km elliptical orbit around Mars.

“We want to look at environment of Mars for various elements like Deuterium-Hydrogen ratio. We also want to look at other constituents — neutral constituents”, Mr. Radhakrishnan said.

“There are several things which Mars will tells us, this is what the scientific community thinks about the life on Mars”, he said, adding that scientists started taking interest on Mars from the 18th century onwards.

“Our (Mars mission) experiments are planned in such a way that you can decide when you want to put on each of these systems”, Mr. Radhakrishnan said.

“If we succeed (in the mission), it positions India into group of countries who will have the ability to look at Mars.

In future, certainly, there will be synergy between various countries in such exploration. That’s taking place. That time India will be a country to be counted”, he said...

Read Full Story @ The Hindu

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- Unknown Updated at: Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Deepika to be honoured with Smita Patil Memorial Award

2012 seems to be very lucky to Deepika Padukone! After getting rave reviews for her outstanding performance in the romantic triangle Cocktail, the leggy lass is soon going to be awarded with Smita Patil Memorial Award.

The Award is being organized by Priyadarshni Academy which felicitates outstanding individuals from various fields like literature, science and technology, entrepreneurship, science and technology, environment, education, fine arts and films.

Other Bollywood actresses who have won the award are Kareena Kapoor,Preity Zinta, Madhuri Dixit, Urmila Matondkar, Karisma Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai, Manisha Koirala, Meenakshi Sheshadri, Pooja Bhatt, Dimple Kapadia, Sridevi, Roopa Ganguly, Deepika Chikhlia, Tanvi Kiran.

The award is a tight slap to all those who believed that Deepika couldn’t act. After a span of 5 years in the film industry Deepika’s efforts finally got recognized. But it was not a smooth journey for the dimpled actress.  The Veronica of Cocktail gained instant popularity when she starred in 2007’s blockbuster movie Om Shanti Om opposite superstar Shahrukh Khan. But her later performances weren't too convincing. The actress' role in Bachna Ae Haseena, was a sure disappointment to the critics. According to Taran Adarsh, "Deepika is a sore point. Her role isn't convincing and that's the reason why this performance doesn't work. The only consolation is, she looks gorgeous."

After her average performance in Love Aaj Kal as Meera, NDTV’s Anupama Chopra wrote "Deepika looks fabulous, but she isn't a strong enough actor to breathe life into the character."

She played double role in the disastrously flop movie Chandani Chowk To China. She was seen doing an item number in Rohan Sippy's Dum Maaro Dum starring Abhishek Bachchan and Bipasha Basu in the lead. It was a remixed version of Zeenat Aman's iconic song from Hare Rama Hare Krishna. While a leading newspaper stated her moves as "mechanised gyrations", Adarsh wrote, "Deepika scorches the screen in the title track.” She bagged Golden Kela worst actress award for her performance in Aarakshan.

Viewers started saying that although she has looks to kill, she couldn’t act at all. Some were of the opinion that she should get back to modelling. But her mind boggling performance in Cocktail came as a stunner to all. The actress not only received good response for her performance from people but also from critics.

"The big surprise in Cocktail is Deepika, who moves beyond her usual statuesque mannequin pose and gets into the skin of the emotionally raw and needy poor little rich girl. This is easily her best performance to date."

"Deepika hits the bull’s eye with her portrayal of Veronica. Deepika manages to highlight the intricacies of the psyche of a woman who has had a troubled childhood, which propelled her to seek refuge in alcohol and hard core partying" said the critics. Way to go girl!

Unknown

- Unknown Updated at: Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Satyamev Jayate : A PR Stunt or genuine attempt?

We are gonna start by saying that this initiative has been novel and to the heart - as Aamir Khan had mentioned in promos. There has been many sensitive issues been discussed in the famous show by Aamir Khan, Satyamev Jayate, which in three months of its airing has become a phenomenon and a routine for Sunday audience.

The show has been successful and had minor impacts on the society, but now Aamir Khan is getting criticized for the format of the show and how it was manipulated for TRP's instead of acting on the issue. The criticizers claim that it was mere PR from the actor to gain an empathy towards him and also have a positive attitude of the audience towards his movies and himself as a person! (Really? Do you believe this, feel free to comment).

"I don't think I fancy myself as some good Samaritan," Khan told Reuters in an interview last Friday.

"I have tried to use my skill sets to the best of my abilities. Reaching out and telling people stories, tugging at your heartstrings, that's where my skill-sets lie", he said.

"We are combining journalism with good story-telling." adds in Aamir Khan. The show which was aired on 9 Star - owned channels had a combined viewership of 800 million and has already registered 1.4 million fans on facebook and twitter. This happened for no reason but the mere impact and seriousness that happened over the discussions - still the person who was responsible for this gets criticized!

The show which did make impact in Rajasthan and has helped female foeticide in Rajasthan (news here) also there has been serious talks about the issues he had discussed in the show, which includes child molestation, dowry issues, Health sector issues, Caste issues, Human scavenging and the like. Aamir was also present before the parliamentary committee to produce evidences on the malpractices in medical profession (news here) - these all adds into the positives of the show - but there is a shortcoming that there has not been any effective law or changes happening to current laws, but as we all understand, there is still a missing magic wand that would change things overnight!

S. Anand, a journalist who also runs a publishing house that focuses on caste issues, wrote a scathing article in Outlook magazine, accusing Khan's handling of caste issues as being "manipulative and fake".

Media observers say Khan has benefited hugely from his great public relations skills.

"He has a certain image that he would like to project through his movies and television - that of an intelligent Bollywood actor who cares and wants to do something for the country," media columnist Sevanti Ninan told Reuters. "He's not just a star. He's also clever about his PR."

The reason which is cited behind these happenings is the occasional tears and hugs that Aamir offers to the guests at his show - but aint that natural? criticism just for the sake of it should be ignored in our opinion - We know that Aamir Khan, if he wanted a better PR could have done a different show and if it was for monetary gains - he could have done a better show of games and dance! We are unsure if the critics understand that he was spending his own money to produce and broadcast the show!

The 13-weeks with the 47-year old actor showed him as a normal human being reacting to the issues that were brought forward - it also attracted the eyes of many more popular politicians. And Aamir says just few words to the criticism that he received “The attempt is to look inward. The attempt is to see what am I doing wrong? What can I do better? What can I learn about this issue which I don’t know already?” says Aamir.

So that would be the best answer to his critics on the issue, think and decide what can be done, we cannot deny the fact that there were many movements prior to Aamir, but his move cannot be marked as feeble or simple - it has attracted many - inspired many and will continue to do so!

Satyamev Jayate!

Unknown

- Unknown Updated at: Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Asin ready for an item number?

Asin Thottumkal had made a huge impact back at South Indian Film industry before she bagged in a smart role in Ghajini opposite the Mr. Perfectionist, the role was carried out so easily that it was already a great impression on her as an actress. She did have few drops after the 100crore venture, but she has managed to clear out from the hassle as her 3 movies in bollywood has already crossed the 100crore mark, namely Ghajini, Houseful 2 and Ready!

She still feels that these successes are not enough for her to be counted in the A-listers and she says she would be surprised if she does get fitted in! “I have never tom-tommed about being a part of so many Rs. 100 crore outings, nor did I call myself as being a lucky mascot for the film’s makers. I guess I’m just bad at marketing myself,” she laughs.

Also she confirms that she had no qualms about the roles she had been taking up or not getting listed as a lead actress, “But I seriously believe that if the film works, it works in totality and not because of a particular actor. So I enjoy the success, but don’t like to take the credit for it.”

She also did take the opportunity to clarify that her recent roles were just made for entertainment rather than for critics to judge her talents :

"My last film, Housefull 2 was made only for audience entertainment and satisfaction. It was not made to impress the critics. Moreover, the film did really well at the box office," says Asin, adding, "It was sheer coincidence that my last few films were in the comedy genre. I strongly believe that the so-called masala films are just a concept."

Asin who is currently working with Akshay Kumar on Khiladi 786 is enjoying the company of her co-star and feels extremely comfortable there. "We have finished shooting for the first schedule of the film and Akshay is a fabulous co-star. He is funny and it was great to team up with him after Housefull 2." says Asin. 

However when TOI asked her about her reason for backing out of remake of 'Vettai', a south flick, she did not comment on the issue. The rumor was that Asin had agreed for the role but when she heard that it was Shahid Kapoor who was being chosen for the lead role, she backed out!

Why No South Movies?

"There is nothing that's stopping me from doing films in south. But the scripts that I have been receiving of late are boring and I am looking for a character that's completely different from what I have done so far. I have had my share of good roles in the south and I do not want to repeat them."

How About An Item number? 

When asked if she might be doing any item numbers pretty soon she says "First of all, I don't appreciate the term 'item' as I find it derogatory. Secondly, I have not been approached for any such number so far. Being a dancer myself, it's easy for me to pull off one."

So she might pull one off! Beware - or be waiting :wink:

Unknown

- Unknown Updated at: Thursday, June 28, 2012