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By:

Akhilesh Sinha

25 June 2025 at 2:53:54 pm

India’s Rocket Woman

Chandrayaan-3 Mission Director Dr Ritu Karidhal Srivastava helped script a historic chapter in India’s space story. On August 23, 2023, as the clock struck 6:04 PM Indian time, waves of joy swept across India and the world when Chandrayaan-3's robotic lander Vikram touched down on the Moon's south pole. This triumph made India the first nation to land a spacecraft there and the fourth overall to reach the lunar surface. Behind this moment stood the dedication of scientists like Dr Ritu...

India’s Rocket Woman

Chandrayaan-3 Mission Director Dr Ritu Karidhal Srivastava helped script a historic chapter in India’s space story. On August 23, 2023, as the clock struck 6:04 PM Indian time, waves of joy swept across India and the world when Chandrayaan-3's robotic lander Vikram touched down on the Moon's south pole. This triumph made India the first nation to land a spacecraft there and the fourth overall to reach the lunar surface. Behind this moment stood the dedication of scientists like Dr Ritu Karidhal Srivastava, Chandrayaan-3’s mission director, affectionately known as India’s “Rocket Woman.” For millions watching, it was a moment of national pride; for the scientists behind the mission, the culmination of years of painstaking work and belief in India’s space ambitions. Dr Srivastava often placed professional commitments ahead of personal comforts, pouring her energy into India’s stellar legacy. Whether spearheading Chandrayaan-3, leading key aspects of Chandrayaan-2, or contributing to the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), she devoted herself to advancing India’s space programme. “From Mangalyaan to Chandrayaan, women have matched men stride for stride,” she has said, reflecting the growing presence of women scientists in India’s space missions. Over the years, women have moved from supporting roles to positions of leadership within ISRO, bringing expertise and determination to some of the nation’s most ambitious projects. Journey to the Stars Born in 1975 into a middle-class family in Lucknow, young Ritu was fascinated by the moon, stars and vast skies above. Her curiosity deepened during her school years, when she spent hours reading about space and imagining the mysteries beyond Earth. After earning her degree from Navayug Kanya Mahavidyalaya, she completed her MSc in physics in Lucknow before moving to the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru to specialise in aerospace engineering. This path led her to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), which she joined in 1997. At ISRO, she steadily rose through the ranks, earning recognition for meticulous planning and technical expertise. She served as Deputy Operations Director for the Mars Orbiter Mission, popularly known as Mangalyaan — India’s first mission to Mars, which succeeded on its first attempt and placed the country firmly on the global space map. Personal Sacrifices Her work’s success roared loudly. The ISRO Young Scientist Award from President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam in 2007 and the Woman Aerospace Achievement Award from the Society of Indian Aerospace Technologies and Industries recognised her contributions to the nation’s space programme. Yet for years she worked largely away from the public spotlight, focused on the demands of complex missions. In a candid moment, Dr Srivastava spoke about balancing professional duty and family life. There were times when mission preparation meant missing important family moments. Once, when her daughter was running a fever, she could not leave work; her husband stepped in while she checked repeatedly by phone. School events and parent-teacher meetings often passed without her presence. Yet with strong support from her husband and family, she remained committed to the demanding world of space exploration. That collective resolve — from Dr Srivastava and her team — ultimately propelled India to new cosmic heights. Vikram’s flawless landing at the Moon’s south pole marked a technological triumph and firmly placed India among the world’s leading spacefaring nations.

Great Expectations

The Mahayuti coalition’s resounding victory in Maharashtra’s Assembly elections, securing nearly 240 of the 288 seats, marks a momentous comeback in the state’s political history. But with great victories come even greater expectations. The people of Maharashtra now demand not just governance but transformative leadership.


The alliance effectively unified disparate voter bases—OBCs, Marathas, and women—through a targeted narrative of welfare and development. Schemes like the Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, offering Rs. 1,500 monthly assistance to women, resonated deeply, especially among the economically disadvantaged, creating a groundswell of support. Moreover, the coalition’s focus on rural infrastructure, exemplified by the construction of over 45,000 agricultural roads, showcased a commitment to improving farmer livelihoods. These efforts were bolstered by significant budgetary allocations to infrastructure.


While the electoral victory is monumental, governing a state as diverse and complex as Maharashtra demands more than campaign promises. Expectations are high across key areas like employment and social welfare. The promise of 2.5 million new jobs statewide and monthly stipends for vocational students has created hope among the youth. The government must now ensure that these pledges translate into measurable outcomes, particularly as economic challenges loom, including inflation and uneven industrial growth.


The coalition’s pledge to reduce electricity bills by 30 percent and expand renewable energy sources represents an ambitious agenda. The recent 6,600 MW power deal with Adani Power and Adani Green Energy underscores this commitment, but the government must ensure that such large-scale agreements translate into tangible relief for consumers. Rural voters will scrutinise the government’s ability to deliver long-term benefits. Beyond road construction, farmers need better access to markets, price stabilisation mechanisms and water resource management. The coalition’s focus on women and socially disadvantaged groups through increased wages for Anganwadi and ASHA workers and the continuation of the Maratha Reservation Act has set high expectations.


Devendra Fadnavis, with his deft political manoeuvring, remains the coalition’s cornerstone. Eknath Shinde has emerged as the undisputed leader of the Shiv Sena, while Ajit Pawar’s performance in Baramati has solidified his status as a rival to his uncle, Sharad Pawar. The leadership trio must now navigate the intricate dynamics within the alliance to maintain unity and focus on governance. Maharashtra’s electorate has handed the Mahayuti an unprecedented mandate. Delivering on promises, while setting the state on a path of sustainable growth, will determine whether this victory becomes a historical milestone or a footnote. Maharashtra has spoken decisively. Now, it is the new government’s turn to prove that its promises were not mere election rhetoric but a blueprint for a brighter future.

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