<p>There is a need for more researchers and industry experts in the field of space research, said A S Kiran Kumar, former Isro chairman and Vikram Sarabhai Distinguished professor.</p>.<p>Speaking to DH on the sidelines of National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS)- Maiyas Prodigy Fellowship Programme here on Friday, Kumar said that there is a need for capacity building.</p>.<p>India is one of the few countries making headway in space research and the demand is only increasing as Isro is now working towards human space programme. There is a need for a lot of industrial support and young researchers.</p>.<p>Kumar said though the Central government has approved a human space programme, budget needs to be announced and then targets will be set.</p>.<p>At present, Isro is also busy working on the Chandrayan mission. The team is also working on launching 60 satellites in the next 4-5 years. P Sadananda Maiya, founder and Managing Director of Maiyas Beverages and Foods Private Limited, said that youth today are only looking at the IT- BT sector as a career. There is a need to also look at other streams, like food technology, which is a developing field and a never-ending industry.</p>.<p>On the occasion, 22 students (10 girls and 12 boys) from rural and urban Karnataka were awarded fellowships. NIAS selected these students. The programme offers a fellowship of Rs 50,000 to each student and links them to active mentoring programmes for a period of five years. Annual mentoring workshops will be organised where mentors from India and abroad will interact with fellows.</p>
<p>There is a need for more researchers and industry experts in the field of space research, said A S Kiran Kumar, former Isro chairman and Vikram Sarabhai Distinguished professor.</p>.<p>Speaking to DH on the sidelines of National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS)- Maiyas Prodigy Fellowship Programme here on Friday, Kumar said that there is a need for capacity building.</p>.<p>India is one of the few countries making headway in space research and the demand is only increasing as Isro is now working towards human space programme. There is a need for a lot of industrial support and young researchers.</p>.<p>Kumar said though the Central government has approved a human space programme, budget needs to be announced and then targets will be set.</p>.<p>At present, Isro is also busy working on the Chandrayan mission. The team is also working on launching 60 satellites in the next 4-5 years. P Sadananda Maiya, founder and Managing Director of Maiyas Beverages and Foods Private Limited, said that youth today are only looking at the IT- BT sector as a career. There is a need to also look at other streams, like food technology, which is a developing field and a never-ending industry.</p>.<p>On the occasion, 22 students (10 girls and 12 boys) from rural and urban Karnataka were awarded fellowships. NIAS selected these students. The programme offers a fellowship of Rs 50,000 to each student and links them to active mentoring programmes for a period of five years. Annual mentoring workshops will be organised where mentors from India and abroad will interact with fellows.</p>