Hats off to India as they join the space race , which is shaping up quite nicely… what with Japanese and Chinese satellites already up there.
The missionwas ten years in the making, overcoming criticism that it would be a waste of money. This article makes it clear that there’s a lot of pride in the country and India is helping to safeguard the future of the human race…
Against the back drop of a global financial crisis, and India being a country where hundreds of millions live in poverty, how wise do you think the investment is ?
Another question for you ‘;If you could cure autism, would you ? Is it a “problem” to be solved ?
Have a look at the details of this debate here in London later…
Also, it’s a subject we’ve looked at a lot, but does three years jail for groping a woman sound right to you ? It happened in Egypt, a place where sexual harassment is normal, and usually not much of a talking point. Read this account of a journalist’s trip across that country and decide whether the sentence is a long overdue attempt to solve a nasty problem….
and another area we look at a lot is freedom of speech and particularly the press. According to this report, the U.S ranks 36th in the world for freedom of the press, (Iceland comes top) , and the group Reporters Without Borders says security issues affect where a country finishes on the list – Namibia, Ghana and Mali rate higher than Spain or Italy- which have slipped because of political or mafia interference..
Is a lack of freedom in the press a price worth paying for a safer country ?
RSS feed
BBC World Have Your Say 
Another question for you ‘;If you could cure autism, would you ? Is it a “problem” to bve solved ?
Very interesting question, if your going to do a show on this topic I’ll let my mom know so she can jump in on the blog. Her lifes work is dedicated to working with and helping those with special needs and public education / awareness of disabilities.
How would you ‘cure’ it? Treat it with drugs? Prevent it before conception / birth? My understanding has been that its such a complex disorder with so many unknowns that it would be impossible to cure, let alone fully understand.
Also, it’s a subject we’ve looked at a lot, but does three years jail for groping a woman sound right to you ?
It happened in Egypt, a place where sexual harassment is normal
…a long overdue attempt to solve a nasty problem….
There ya go 🙂
It sure is right, set precedence that it is something which will be taken seriously in the future. The only upsetting thing would be that if someone were to commit a ‘worse’ crime and get a similar sentence, it may show an inequity amongst various crimes and their respective punishments.
I’m one of the biggest fans of space exploration you can imagine….
…but even I question the wisdom of a country where 75% of the population live on less than $2 a day funding a space programme.
I congratulate India and her scientists and engineers as well for this successful launch!
g
Congrats to the people of India and the grat sucess of the lift off!
India should focus on the improvement of the welfare of its citizens instead of engaging in space exploration
it is good that it is further step of india toward space expolaration.but india should work more toward poverty elimation.
Mary from naija,
Speak for yourself please! Wouldn’t most naija people be delirious if Nigeria’s useless leaders who loot and squander billions of dollars every year eventually managed to achieve at least one, just one tangible feat like the Indians just have?
Are there no more homeless people or poor people living in ghettoes in the very same America that has launches Space Shuttle and dozens of satellites every year? Have the 46 million Americans that have no health insurance been sorted out?
Big props to the Indian. India rocks!!!
Bob in Queensland
I agree with you as I too am a big Space Exploration fan. India has a population in crushing poverty and yes it would be good to lift them up from their $2/day incomes but one can never cure the social ills as there will always be another social ill to address.
I submit that the successful India Space Program though gives people pride and hope and in the long run that may benefit people more.
There are “intangiable” benefits to this moon project. An important part of the Indian economy is based on engineering & scientific expertise.
A successful moon shot will enhance this aspect of India’s “worth” and help India to grow its economy.
In this respect I see it as an acceptable strategy that will contribute to the poverty situation in the long term.
Re: Curing Autism
I don’t believe autism is a problem to be solved. It can’t be cured but should be aspects should be addressed to increase the child’s quality of life and help the family in dealing with day to day living.
When I was in college my landlord had twin grandsons who had autism. Every time I went to pay my rent they always asked “hey lady can I give you a hug”. My best friend worked with a boy who had autism while we were in college. They worked on colors, numbers, and etc. It was at times hard for her to keep him focused on what they were doing. He was high functioning but did at times get frustrated when there was too much noise.
Re: Sexual Harassment sentence
I think it was appropriate. Sexual harassment should be taken seriously.
Congratulations to India!