Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (VM), pic by Satish Ira

Mangalore, Feb 25: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman Dr G Madavan Nair on Saturday, February 24 delivered the fourth convocation address at the National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK)-Surathkal

Speaking on the occasion, he said that although the nation has made great advancements after independence, the gap between the rich and poor has widened

He said that rural development was of utmost importance and the youth must be involved in bringing about a change here. More than 700 million in Indian are living in villages and are engaged in agriculture. Obsolete technology used in farming has led to poor productivity and minimal returns. The poor remain poor, he observed.

Speaking about development in space technology, Nair said that ISRO has started developing and launching a series of unique, thematic satellite such as EDUSSAT, Metsat, Resourcesat, Cartosat and Oceanat.

NITK-Suratkal Board of Governors Chairman Prof Goverdhan Mehta presided over the programme.