ISRO to speed up future projects

By Sachin Jose

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Indian Space Research Organisation has 15 missions on its list this year including Reusable Launch Vehicle, GSLV Mk III and Astrosat.

     The allocation for India's space mission has been hiked from Rs 5172 crores to Rs 7238 crores during last week's Union interim budget, which shall boost ISRO's proposed projects.

      Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre scientist Dr K Sasikumar said, "First among these would be the test flight of Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) to be launched within the next two months." According to ISRO, the reusable launch vehicle is the unanimous solution to achieve low cost, reliable and on-demand space access.

     Also, the country's first astronomy satellite, Astrosat, is scheduled to be launched on board the PSLV later this year.

     Mr Sasikumar said, "This will be followed by the experimental mission of GSLV Mk III missile, which can carry a payload of 4 tons within May this year. An additional Rs 170 crore has been sanctioned to the Rs 10 crore allocated earlier."

      Subsequently, India will become self reliant in launching heavier communication satellites of INSAT-4 class and a competitive player in the multimillion dollar commercial launch market.

      Another official said that these projects are not extravagant, but has rather unleashed vast potential for applications in telecommunications, television broadcasting including education and meteorology.

Maramon Convention to be held from Feb 9 to 16

By Sachin Jose

PATHANAMTHITTA: The Mar Thoma Evangelical Association (MTEA) has made preparations for the 119th Maramon Convention to be held here in Kozhencherry from Feb 9 to 16.

    It is Asia's largest Christian convention, traditionally held near Kozhecherry Bridge in Maramon on the Pampa riverbed, which dries up at the beginning of every year.

    Organiser Fr Sam T Mathew said, "To commemorate the 125th anniversary of MTEA this year, we are setting up separate stalls and exhibitions to illustrate the history of Mar Thoma Church."

    The first convention was held in 1895, following the revival movement pioneered by priest Abraham Malpan, leading to a schism in the traditional church establishment.

    Regarding preparations, MTEA General Secretary Fr Abraham P Oommen said, "The local parishes under the Mar Thoma Syrian Church contribute to the materials including coconut fronds to construct the panthal (large thatched tent). It can accommodate one lakh people."

     "Also, separate stalls have been built for various organisations under the Church," added Fr Oommen, "The work on three temporary bridges linking the convention venue with the western bank of the river has also been completed."

     Moreover, evangelists including Anglican Church Bishop Peter Maiden from UK, Methodist Church Bishop Viani Nybola from South Africa, Church of Ceylon Bishop Dilip D Chikkera from Sri Lanka are invited to deliver speech.

     A makeshift dispensary and two police aid posts will be set up near the convention centre. The KSRTC will provide buses from Pathanamthitta depot and operate special services from Thiruvalla, Mallappally, Pandalam, Chengannur, Adoor and Ranni during the week-long convention.

Solo-circumnavigator Abhilash Tomy

By Sachin Jose

KOTTAYAM: Son of a naval officer, Lieutenant CommanderAbhilash Tomy lived close to the sea all his life and knew he would be sailing across the oceans one day. Mr Tomy has realised his dream, circumnavigating the globe in a solo, non-stop and unassisted voyage in 151 days, becoming the first Indian to do so.

    As a boy, Mr Tomy grew up reading books about ocean adventures. "Also, I had been schooled in six Kendriya Vidyalaya Schools," he recalled, "which moulded me to adjust to an ever-changing environment like the sea."

    Mr Tomy considers the turning point in his life that he enrolled in naval aviation instead of engineering or medicine. Aged 34, he is still a bachelor and undecided about marriage. He was inspired by pioneer sailors including the first circumnavigator Bernard Moitissiere and considers India's first solo circumnavigator Commander Dilip Donde his role model.

     Mr Tomy is the winner of Kirti Chakra as well as Tenzing Norgay National Award. Regarding the Rs 5 lakh award announced by the Kerala Government last week, he commented it is too late and driven by coming elections.

      Passionate about the sailboat INSV Mhadei, Mr Tomy said, "During the voyage she became so much an extension of myself that I would feel worse, if the boat got damaged than if I got hurt."

     Apart from sailing, his passion lies in cycling and palmistry. "My only regret is," he said, "that I couldn't master classical guitar as I kept travelling." Being pilot of Dornier recce airplane, Mr Tomy also harbours a desire to circumnavigate the globe by air.