India, Aug. 29 -- space

On April 4, 1984, the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had asked our first cosmonaut and Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma, Upar se Bharat kaisa dikhta hai aapko ?" When he answered, " Main bina kisi jhijhak ke keh sakta hoon, Saare Jahan Se Achcha ," our national song had found a new meaning. Not just that, India herself had found a new identity. For the first time after Independence, while Russia and the US were competing in the space race, our country was achieving its landmark mission of sending the first Indian man to space.

India's passion to reach the stars is that of grit and glory, and at the centre of that story lies the inspiring tale behind the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), established in 19...