Thiruvananthapuram: Dr K Sivan, who has been appointed as the chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has said that he is proud to helm ISRO that had been led by many illustrious scientists.
“I will strive hard to make India the leading player in the field of space search," said Dr Sivan, in an interview to Manorama after he was named as the new ISRO chief.
Excerpts:
How do you see the chairmanship of ISRO?
Leading a world-class organization like ISRO is a challenge and an opportunity at the same time. ISRO's strength is the coalition of thousands of talented people. I am sure that this coalition can achieve great goals.
Did you expect the post of the chairman?
World famous scientists have led the ISRO. I am lucky to become their successor. I will try my best to discharge the big responsibilities entrusted on me by the government.
How are you planning to take ISRO forward?
ISRO can take India to the top of world in space research. Other countries have watched in amazement how we developed low-cost space probes. They have great prospects in the future. Though bigger challenges like Chandrayaan-2 and Aditya and the mission to study the sun are lying ahead, my present challenge is the PSLV-C40 launch on Friday. We are working together for it success.
The sleepless scientist
There is only one answer to the question how can a person born to a farmer's family become the chairman of ISRO - hard work.
His colleagues respectfully call him as the sleepless scientist. When his colleagues leave after working the entire day, Dr K Sivan can be found in the director’s office at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre.
He usually ends his work by midnight. But if he has the responsibility of big launches, the timing could stretch further. During such times, he sleeps for barely four hours.
Though he was born in Tamil Nadu, he has been a Malayali for the past three decades. Thiruvananthapuram became his hometown when he started working in ISRO in 1983. The house at Karamana Thaliyil Harisri Residents Association will now be the private residence of the ISRO chairman.
He is married to Malathy. Engineering graduate Sushanth and student Sidharth are his children.
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