Moon, Bharatnaut and ShivShakti

Free Thinker *

A human space traveller is called a Cosmonaut in Russia, Astronaut in America, Taikonaut in China & Bharatnaut in India ( the first Bharatnaut is Rakesh Sharma, not Rakesh Roshan). Anybody who wants to become a Bharatnaut may contact ISRO from now onwards.

Shivshakti is the spot where Chandrayaan-3 (Vikram) landed on the moon. Now our journey on the moon has begun with Vikram and Pragyan. As per the latest report so far we have covered 8 meters. This is just the beginning. The name of the landing point is given by our Prime Minister. Shiv ji stands for the welfare of mankind and Shakti fulfills His purpose – PM said it while addressing the ISRO family.

All Manipuris (including all 37 ethnic groups as I count, 34 as CM counts) have a similar ‘moon-based lullaby’ (by and large folklore oral tradition) sung by our mothers to appease their crying children to sleep - this is really unique.

That means we all belong to the same group of people having a common cultural and linguistic heritage. Talk to any tribe and they will say that their lullaby is based on the moon. It may be universal but the tone and tenor of our songs are surprisingly identical to one another.

So, now we don’t need to quarrel or fight for the land; India will get a huge part of the moon. In the near future, we may shift to the moon. There is no point in fighting for a country or an empire or an independent Nation. Millions may be shifted to the Moon and later to Mars.

There is an ongoing program in the USA to send a large number of humans again to the moon – perhaps for a bigger purpose. This is called the Artemis program which aims at sustaining human presence on the moon.

It is also going to be used as a launching pad for their Mars human missions. This program involves very close collaborations with a wide spectrum of private space agencies. It is also a program where other countries are also involved including the EU and Japan. This is a humon-gous space program invol- ving huge outer space stations and frequent navigation.

Now India’s surprise entry to this Moon-Mars competition – may invite India’s involvement and cooperation. India’s cost-effective space technology certainly will be a global attraction. Japan and Israel are already in touch with ISRO, to begin with more ambitious missions and programs.

Whether you are in a relief camp or in a slum, when you hear or see that an Indian rocket soft landed on the moon you must be thrilled. That is what we expect from every citizen. If you don’t feel proud of such a feat – something is wrong with you or someone has wronged you. Whatever it is – just enjoy it because it is an achievement of humankind.

While we are fighting for a piece of land in this tiny corner of the planet, ISRO has landed on the moon. Three countries have already established their footholds - by men or by machine. Americans had done it with men in 1969. However, our purpose is very clear – to search for the som-ras in the southern parts of Chandrama.

Another feat is the “make it India” – climax. The launcher, rocket, lander, and rover, all are made in India, except for a few parts. Again the science and technology involved is purely Indian.

In the near future, we will be sending humans to the moon. Those who want to stay where they can. So far only four countries have reached the moon. I think India must get the southern part because we have landed there first.

All the countries might want to come to the southern part because they think there is hidden treasure out there. But we know it already. Now Japan and Israel are trying to join the moon club. If these two countries come-then the moon will be parted into six parts.

The spot where the Vikram Lander landed is now associated with Lord Shiva. This is the right thing to do because Shiv ji normally decorates himself with a crescent moon attached to his 'jatadhara'. The dark side of the moon (South Pole) is believed to be the place where He keeps His soma drinks. Believe me – our Rover will tell you about this liquid, sooner or later.

Someone has appreciated NASA for Chandrayaan-3's success. Another gentleman says we must warmly receive our people when they come back from the moon. One respectable lady says we started all these with Indira Gandhi and Rakesh Roshan. The entire country is smiling and in a jubilant mood.

So, will the election be advanced before the inauguration of Ram Mandir ? I doubt, without Ram ji, Chandrayaan alone can’t overwhelm INDIA.