By Joseph Varghese/Staff Reporter

Renowned scientist Dr G Madhavan Nair has praised Qatar’s research initiatives calling them commendable and noteworthy.
The former chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was in Doha for two days to take part in an award function organised by the Indian expatriate organisation Samanvayam.
Speaking to Gulf Times yesterday, Nair said Qatar’s plan to use its resources for turning it into a knowledge-based country was a very good initiative.
“It is a great move. As I understand, there is a great effort in Qatar to initiate research in a number of areas and make the country a research hub. I hope that the effort succeeds and makes the country a major hub for the scientists from around the world,” Nair said.
Referring to India, Nair said the education scenario in the country needed a complete overhaul enabling students opportunities for creativity and self expression.
“The Indian education system needs a complete change and the students should get opportunities for expressing their talents and skills at each level of education. This will provide impetus for them to work harder and reach out to higher levels of achievement.” Nair said a beginning in this direction has been started by a group of educationists including him by setting up a school in Kochi in Kerala which is modelled on the traditional Indian education system of ‘Gurukulam.’
As for the Indian mission to Mars, Nair said that it was moving in the right direction. “We are launching the Mars probe tomorrow (Tuesday). It will take ten months to reach Mars. This is expected to get some data about the atmosphere in Mars.”
He said going to Mars is a real challenge which will take some time. “We have a mission to go to Mars with the necessary equipment. It takes 55mn km to reach Mars and we need to learn the fundamentals. Mars can be a target for our colonisation for future. Understanding Mars is important. But we need to do much more than what we do now,” he added.
The Indian scientist was all praise for Indian students in Qatar with whom he had several interactions during his stay in Qatar.
“I am really impressed with the standard of the students in Qatar. I am sure that this can be due to a set of dedicated teachers working in various schools in Qatar. The students are on the right track. Still they need more higher education opportunities in the country.”
The scientist highlighted that India had achieved substantial progress in space research over the years.
“We have achieved capabilities to launch rockets and send satellites that can be useful in a number of areas. We have emerged as a global power in space research.”
Nair who served ISRO for more than 40 years was also the chairman of Space Commission and secretary of India’s Department of Space.