Latest news with #Krishi-DSS
Hindustan Times
05-08-2025
- Science
- Hindustan Times
Chandigarh: Punjab Engineering College confers honorary degree on former ISRO chairperson
The Punjab Engineering College (PEC) conferred the prestigious degree of Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) on S Somanath, Vikram Sarabhai Distinguished Professor and former chairman of ISRO during a special ceremony held at PEC on Monday. The event also saw the unveiling of a commemorative plaque in honour of Satish Dhawan, renowned mathematician and former chairman of ISRO, also an alumnus of PEC. S Somanath during the event at PEC, Sector 12, in Chandigarh on Monday. (Keshav Singh/HT) Somanath, reflecting on his association with Dhawan and ISRO's historic missions, highlighted the importance of academia-industry collaboration in driving innovation. He shared insights into India's upcoming human space programme and urged educational institutions to play a key role in national technological advancement. The event was attended by dignitaries, including Panjab University (PU) vice-chancellor Renu Vig and former PU V-C Arun Kumar Grover. Somanath also delivered a lecture at Panjab University under the PU Colloquium Series, titled 'Space Sector in India: Opportunities for Business and Startups.' He spoke on the Indian Space Policy, 2023, which has opened the sector to foreign investment and private enterprise. Highlighting missions like the Bharatiya Antariksh Station, reusable launch vehicles, and Mars exploration plans, he underlined India's aim for a sustained human presence in space by 2047. He also demonstrated how ISRO's technologies are transforming agriculture through tools like Krishi-DSS and satellite-based insurance systems. The former ISRO chairman also highlighted the role of satellite data in monitoring tropical cyclones and prediction, issuing forest fire alerts, and disaster management. 'Platforms such as Bhuvan, the Indian Geo-Platform of ISRO, are providing web-based geospatial services for agriculture, forestry, disaster response, and governance, benefitting states like Punjab and Haryana,' he said, adding that India's shift from a government-funded model to a stakeholder-based space ecosystem has triggered a wave of innovation, with private satellite manufacturers, small launch vehicle developers, and data service providers gaining momentum. This expanding ecosystem, he argued, is expected to generate significant socio-economic benefits, job creation, and global market also called on universities to actively participate in building a self-sustaining space research and industrial ecosystem.
Time of India
04-08-2025
- Science
- Time of India
India's expanding space sector has enough space for startups: Ex-ISRO chief
1 2 Chandigarh: Former ISRO chairman Dr S Somanath on Monday delivered a lecture at Panjab University on the future of India's space sector, highlighting new opportunities for private enterprise, startups, and academia under the Indian Space Policy 2023. Speaking at the PU Law Auditorium as part of the PU Colloquium Series, Dr Somanath said India is transitioning from a government-dominated space model to a stakeholder-based ecosystem. He stressed the need for universities to play an active role in building a self-sustaining space research and industrial framework. Now the Vikram Sarabhai Distinguished Professor and President-elect of the Aeronautical Society of India, Dr Somanath spoke on upcoming missions to Mars and Venus, development of reusable launch vehicles, and the planned Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) by 2035. He said India aims to achieve a permanent human presence in space by 2047. He also spoke about satellite technologies being used in crop monitoring, insurance, irrigation planning, and disaster management. Tools such as Krishi-DSS and SASYA, along with platforms like Bhuvan, are helping farmers and state agencies improve planning and productivity. The talk was attended by students, researchers, and faculty members. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is AI the secret to mastering a new language faster than ever? See why experts are buzzing. Talkpal AI Undo PU Vice Chancellor Professor Renu Vig presided over the event, which also saw the presence of Dean University Instructions Prof Yojna Rawat, Registrar Prof Y P Verma, R&D Cell Director Prof Meenkashi Goyal, and Colloquium Coordinator Prof Desh Deepak Singh. Dr Somanath said India's space growth is no longer limited to launch pads or satellites but now includes business models, private innovation, and global collaboration. Conferred honorary degree by PEC Former ISRO chairman Dr S Somanath was conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) by Punjab Engineering College (Deemed to be University), Chandigarh, on Monday. The felicitation ceremony was presided over by PEC Board of Governors Chairman Rajinder Gupta and Director Prof. Rajesh Kumar Bhatia. Dr. Somanath also unveiled a commemorative plaque in honour of aerospace pioneer and PEC alumnus Satish Dhawan. Addressing faculty, students, and invited guests, he spoke of Dhawan's contributions to India's space programme and recalled their time working together during key PSLV missions. In his address, Dr. Somanath stressed the importance of stronger collaboration between academia and industry to foster innovation and convert research into national assets. He also discussed India's ongoing efforts toward developing a human spaceflight programme. Among those present were Panjab University Vice Chancellor Prof. Renu Vig, former PU VC Prof. A.K. Grover, INSA Emeritus Professor Dr. K.P. Singh, and other senior faculty members. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof. Uma Batra.
