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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.

The Chanakya who remained in dark

Updated: Oct 30, 2024

Chavan

The aggression displayed by Congress party workers has significantly decreased over the years. In the 1980s and 1990s, the party’s youth wing, NSUI, was known for its aggressive stance. However, that intensity has diminished over time. On the other hand, Shiv Sena has been known for its assertiveness from the very beginning, a trait that appealed to the youth. But after the passing of Balasaheb Thackeray, the party has softened its approach.


In recent times, Congress leaders like Nana Patole and Vijay Waddettiwar have brought back a sense of aggression, particularly Nana Patole, who has taken a more assertive role following the party’s significant victory in the Maharashtra Lok Sabha elections. Patole, it seems, is no longer in a mood to compromise.


Chavan is known for his calm and composed nature. A highly educated politician, he has built a reputation as a technocrat with a clean image.


Chavan faces several challenges. He may have to compete with aggressive leaders like Nana Patole and Vijay Wadettiwar, as well as his long-time rival, Sharad Pawar, the Maratha strongman. Managing these internal dynamics will be crucial for Chavan’s future. Pritviraj Chavan’s political journey has been relatively smooth. He is an alumnus of BITS Pilani and the University of California, Berkeley, where he studied mechanical engineering. Before entering politics, Chavan worked in the U.S. in the fields of aircraft instrumentation and anti-submarine warfare, and later returned to India to become an entrepreneur. His clean, low-profile image has earned him the respect of many, and he has held several key positions, including Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office and General Secretary of the All-India Congress Committee.


Chavan’s entry into Maharashtra politics came in 2010 when Sonia Gandhi chose him to replace Ashok Chavan as Chief Minister, following the Adarsh Scam. The Congress leadership wanted to project a clean image, and Chavan was the ideal candidate and they succeeded for a limited period. Before the state elections of 2014 both the alliances – NCP-CONGRESS & SENA -BJP parted ways which befitted the BJP largely and Modi wave was also the major reason. The corruption charges on the NCP leaders like Ajit Pawar , Hassan Mushrif etc damaged the parties name & Senior Pawar blames everything to this to Prihtviraj Chavan who was the chief minister that point of time.


Maharashtra’s political scenario has changed drastically since 2014, and the state is once again at the centre of a high-stakes political battle. The BJP, which held significant sway until 2019, faced a major setback when Sharad Pawar played a pivotal role in keeping them out of power. The Shiv Sena revolt, which led to Eknath Shinde becoming Chief Minister, further complicated the political landscape.

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