Eminent Indian Space Scientist Dr G. Madhavan Nair, Padam Vibhushan was today honoured by the Panjab University Vice-Chancellor, Prof. R.C.Sobti by appointing him Visiting Professor of the Panjab University here.  Dr Nair was also presented a portrait of Golden Temple by Prof. Sobti and a shawl. Dr Nair visited the University today to deliver a lecture in the series of distinguished lecture series started at Panjab University in collaboration of Ministry of External Affairs.  Praising the university for having been ranked No. 1 in scientific and technological research by the Indian Institute of Science recently, Dr Nair explained about major accomplishments in the field of India’s space missions over the last 45 years.  He explained the success story of 31 Indian launch vehicle missions and 57 Satellite missions undertaken by the Indian Space Organization.  

During this period, he said 25 foreign satellites were also launched.  
 

    Dr Nair also spoke about Indian Earth Observation Satellite Constellation project under which Radar Imaging Satellite and Resource sat – 2 missions will be undertaken.  Under this project to be launched in 2011, scientists would be able to take up development in the field of agriculture and water resources.  Dr Nair also elaborated how India’s earth observation satellite was contributing to the development of agriculture crop inventory besides watershed planning and in locating underground water resources.  Dr Nair said India today has world class space technology, and it was only because of this the presence of water and ice on moon was confirmed in the path breaking research of Indian scientists of ISRO and that of the NASA.  

AK/PS