In a virtual address to the 45th convocation of the National Institute of Design (NID) in Gandhinagar, ISRO Chairman V Narayanan shared profound insights from the space agency's journey, blending tales of triumph with lessons from setbacks. The ISRO chief, who also serves as Secretary of the Department of Space, was the chief guest but attended remotely via video message due to scheduling constraints.
Embracing Setbacks as Learning Opportunities
Narayanan underscored the importance of resilience in both professional and personal growth. "At ISRO, we take setbacks as an opportunity to learn and bounce back," he stated, reflecting on the organization's recent challenges, such as the PSLV-C62 mission that failed to place a satellite into orbit as planned. He described ISRO as a research-and-development-driven entity where risk-taking is crucial, noting that while success is common, occasional failures are treated as valuable learning experiences.
Essential Qualities for Success
In his speech, Narayanan emphasized three key attributes for aspiring professionals:
- Self-confidence: Believing in one's abilities to overcome obstacles.
- Teamwork: Collaborating effectively to achieve common goals.
- Can-do attitude: Maintaining a positive and proactive mindset in the face of challenges.
He linked these qualities to ISRO's own evolution, which began with limited resources and gradually developed indigenous capabilities, overcoming initial reluctance from other countries to share technology with India.
ISRO's Milestones and Future Vision
Narayanan highlighted a strong outlook for 2025, citing significant achievements like the Aditya mission and the launch of the heaviest satellite ever from Indian soil. He positioned space technology as a critical pillar in India's journey toward becoming a developed nation by 2047, outlining ambitious future missions that include human spaceflight and plans for sending humans to the Moon.
Convocation Highlights and NID Initiatives
The convocation ceremony saw 543 students receive their degrees, comprising:
- One PhD scholar
- 355 postgraduate students
- 187 undergraduate students from NID campuses in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and Bengaluru
Dinesh Kumar Singh, Director of ISRO's Human Space Flight Centre, attended as the guest of honour. NID authorities announced the launch of a new integrated design course to meet evolving sector demands, expanded projects aligned with India's development priorities, and conferred 'Pride of NID' awards on distinguished alumni.
Narayanan's address served as an inspiring reminder of how setbacks can fuel growth, drawing parallels between ISRO's storied journey and the paths of young designers embarking on their careers.
