Varanasi, Aug. 9 -- India's space technology programme was initiated not for defence or military purposes but for communication and broadcasting, said Dr Ramanagouda V Nadagouda, associate director of the UR Rao Satellite Centre, ISRO. He added that the space technology market holds potential worth Rs 40 lakh crore and could generate up to 3 crore jobs in the future. He was speaking at a programme organised on Friday at Swatantrata Bhawan, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), held under the aegis of the UR Rao Satellite Centre and Electro Optics System Laboratory, Bengaluru, in collaboration with BHU's department of geophysics. The event was part of ISRO's initiative to inspire and engage youth across the country in the lead-up to National Space Day, celebrated on August 23. "Follow your passion because space technology will progress only with the contribution of talented people from all fields," added Dr Ramanagouda. Prof Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi, vice chancellor of BHU and the event's chief guest, congratulated ISRO not only for its scientific achievements but also for its outreach to school students. He emphasised that the more youth are inspired, the more talent will enter the space sector. Himanshu Maurya, a faculty member from Government Girls Polytechnic College, Prayagraj, highlighted the importance of indigenous technology in building a developed nation. He noted that in 2024, India ranked third globally in publishing scientific research, with over 2 lakh papers. He also spoke about India's journey from launching its first satellite, Aryabhata, with Russian assistance in 1975, to launching satellites for more than 50 countries using home-grown technologies. Pankaj D Killedar, director of ISRO's Master Control Facility, shared that India has so far helped launch 438 satellites for 34 countries, underlining ISRO's global contribution. DK Singh, director of ISRO's Human Space Flight Centre, delivered an in-depth presentation on space systems and discussed the challenges and possibilities of human space travel.htc...