Moon Mission And India

• MOON MISSION AND INDIA
  
  Every body is talking about the launch of the Chandrayaan- India moon mission that has just taken off for its mission. It is indeed a great science and technology achievement for all of us. Moreover, by launching its mission, India has now joined the group of the elite nations that have placed their feet on the only lonely natural satellite of the planet earth. While few developed countries achieved this feat many years back, and they are in advanced stage of the research and development of their moon station, it is a new thing for our country. India is expected to spend around 386 crores rupees on this mission, which constitute a substantial part of the India GDP. Indeed, it is a great feeling in all of us.
  However, the question is that do we really need this? Are we in that state of the social, political and economical condition when one should venture out in the project of this magnitude which involve substantial amount of the India GDP. This discussion is not just about the GDP. This is about the real India- Bharat, which is often ignored and neglected by the limelight of new India- seen in few metros and cities. I would like to draw your attention to some facts and figure about this real India.
  According to an UN report, about 40% of Indian children are mall nourished.
  We have more hungry people than any other countries on this planet. We rank 66 out of 68 countries on Global Hunger Index.
  One third of the world poor live in India. There has been increased of more than 8% in total poor people from 1981 to 2005 (And we went crazy about sensex touching 20,000)
  India ranks 128 out of 177 countries in the UN’s Human Development Index.
  Hundreds of villages in India do not have access to even basic amenities of the life. There is total lack of the infrastructure.
  Apart these figure, there is certain kind of uncertainty in field of the life- be it social, political, economical or religious. There is political turmoil here to religious tension there. Cities are been shaken by the frequent bomb blast and life of the common person seems to be in danger. Instead of focussing on real fundamental issues, our Government is doing other way round. It is true that moon mission will provide us useful framework for the weather forecast, remote sensing and others, but I strongly believe that we should venture in that place only when we have our fundamental right. Government should concentrate on providing the most basic requirements of the people. I am not saying that we should never step in this and related field, but first we need to check our ground realities.
  After all the head of the family must not buy a plasma TV on EMI for entertainment despite knowing the facts that family members don’t have money to buy food.