T
OPIC OF ESSAY: INDIA IN SPACE - 2020The Bharat Rakshak administration has organized an essay contest on the future of the Indian Space Program. This contest is open to all persons. We would like to take this opportunity to encourage some of our younger readers to try their hand at writing such an essay.
Discussion: The essay should address plausible developments in the Indian space program and challenges likely to face the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) over the next twenty years. After briefly addressing the history of the Indian space program, the essay should highlight the following:
• Desirable targets for space science in the next twenty years.
• Technology milestones that will have be crossed while trying to achieve those targets. The author must provide a graphic that illustrates the milestones.
• Some of the technology spin-offs that could result from crossing these milestones.
• A likely space scenario for India; for example if the author suggests that India attempt a moon-shot, then the author has to discuss what that is likely to involve. The author has to provide one illustration to go with this scenario.
• Outline plausible areas and schemes of cooperation with other space faring nations.
• Concluding remarks in the article must talk about the likely human impact of future space projects.
Writing Guidelines: The contest aims to set people thinking in a realistic and rational fashion about the Indian space program. There is no room for science fiction articles here, so targets set in the essay should be plausible and not total flights of fantasy. Examples of the same are given below:
• The author should not assume the Indian budget or manpower for space will suddenly become a thousand times its present amount.
• The author should not allude to unknown physical principles, so please stay clear of things like "Warp Drives", and "Time Travel".
• Authors are free to allude to the challenges in space exploration and long term goals such as - answering questions like 'Are we alone in the universe?' but kindly avoid all mention of exobiological entities, extraterrestrial beings, etc...
Wherever possible the article should preferably state critical success factors for the proposal. If an author should draw on an item published in another magazine or journal, then the author must specifically reference the source of that item. For example, if you are attempting to include the text of an interview with the Chairman of ISRO that appeared in a magazine or website, then you must specifically indicate that which specific magazine or website article that interview appeared on. This step is necessary to discourage plagiarizing of ideas.
Accolades: For successful entries in this competition, we offer three gift vouchers towards any purchase at either the Bharat Rakshak Bookstore or at the Bharat Rakshak Video Store:
• 1st Prize: $100 gift voucher.
• 2nd Prize: $50 gift voucher.
• 3rd Prize: $25 gift voucher.
Judging Panel: The panel for the competition will comprise the BR Monitor editorial team, and select individuals with a long history of professional service in the Aerospace Science, and other related technology fields.
Rules & Regulations: Last date for Submission is August 15th 2003. The essay should not exceed 3000 words. Total file size of the entry should not exceed 200 Kb. Please mail your entries into contest@bharat-rakshak.com. Entry is open to teams of authors, if people want help to form teams, kindly apply to the editorial desk of the BR Monitor at the for assistance. All questions may please be directed to brm@bharat-rakshak.com. On all matters of dispute the decision of the BR Monitor editorial team is final.
Publishing Issues
The winning submission will be published on the BR site and will become public domain, with due credit and authorship. The article will be featured in the BR Monitor on 31 September 2003 and will be displayed permanently on the BR Space site.