IF YOU WANT TO SHINE LIKE A SUN

 


 

“Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground.”

Theodore Roosevelt

 

One of the most endearing qualities about our former President, (Late) Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, had been his childlike approach to almost everything. Be it as our country’s ‘Missile Man’, or, be it as its most adored President, Dr. Kalam had been  the epitome of simplicity and childlike curiosity. And yes, of human spirit and perseverance, too.

So, some days ago, when Dr. Swati Mohan suddenly exploded into limelight, following her feat as Mission Director of ‘Perseverance’ – NASA’s Mars Rover (2020), as an Indian, I felt proud, too. Well, that is not the only reason why I am writing this Post…

To me, Dr. Swati Mohan is a global citizen – a star-struck curious-child like the one anywhere under this God’s vast sky – than being an American, Indian or even Indian-American citizen. I am more fascinated by how she got hooked on to the Stars and Planets in space. In other words, like I am moved by Dr. Kalam’s curiosity and childlikeness, I am moved by Dr. Swati’s simple story, too…  






The simple story. It reminds me about another simple story… When NASA wanted a name for their latest Mars Rover, which Dr. Swati Mohan had the honour of heading, they looked towards K-12 (From kindergarten to 12th grade) students from every state and territory in the US. More than 28,000 K-12 students sent their entries to the ‘Name-the-Rover’ essay-contest. Alexander Mather, a seventh-grader (from Lake Braddock Secondary School in Burke, Virginia)  won this contest. He wrote in his essay:

“Curiosity. InSght. Sprit. Opportunity. If you think about it, all of these names of past Mars rovers are qualities we possess as humans. We are always curious, and seek opportunity. We have the spirit and insight to explore the Moon, Mars and beyond. But, if rovers are to be the qualities of us as a race, we missed the most important thing. Perseverance. We, as humans, evolved as creatures who could learn to adapt to any situation, no matter how harsh. We are a species of explorers, and we will meet many setbacks on the way to Mars. However, we can persevere. We, not as a nation but as humans, will not give up. The human race will always persevere into the future.”




Little Mather not only had the rare honour of naming the latest Rover to the Red Planet, but, he and his family also had the honour of attending the launch of ‘Perseverance’ in July 2020 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.




Dr. Kalam would tell the young minds, “If you want to shine like a Sun, first burn like a Sun.”

Is ‘Perseverance’ another name for the burning Sun?

I am sure, Dr. Swati would say ‘Yes’…

Little Mather has, already.

 

GERALD D’CUNHA

 

Pic's: pixabay:

 

Videos: 1. NASA (JPL) 2. MOJO STORY

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