Sour (Martian) Grapes

Once India launched its Mars mission, many Western journalists started criticizing the attempt. No, this was “not coming from cheap tabloids, but reputed media houses”, as Balaji Viswanathan points out.

So what is their problem? Wrong priorities, they say. Why spend on space exploration instead of addressing poverty and providing toilets, they thunder? Viswanathan counters by pointing out:

“Apparently the other countries engaging in scientific research face no poverty... India doesn’t have more toilets, not because we don’t have extra 450 crores, but because of our poor execution of things.”

Why the hypocrisy? After all, when NASA or the Europeans go to space, Western news doesn’t ever read:

“NASA begins its moon mission despite failing to manage hurricane relief”

or

“European Space Agency launches a satellite despite the inability to control religious riots in Paris and Tottenham, London”

Perhaps it is racism: when the Aussies launch, it apparently makes sense. But when the Malaysians try, they're just “prestige oriented”.

He wonders (sarcastically) what such journalists would have said if they lived at the time of Renaissance:

“Newton, Michelangelo and da Vinci are wasting time instead of building toilets. Poverty should indeed be an excuse to postpone great achievements.”

In any case, it’s OK to feel pride even when other things aren’t doing well:

“This is a landmark work for Indian scientists and I am filled with pride, just as the 1960s Americans were filled with pride as Armstrong made his stride. Sure, America had plenty of issues in 1969 – Vietnam war, civil rights, inflation, unemployment. But, those negative news could wait another day. It was time to enjoy the moon.”

And who is to say to we won’t find something groundbreaking in Mars?

“Four years ago, India helped confirm that there is water on moon – the confirmation of which has eluded global researchers for five decades.”

And space research often translates into money, directly and indirectly:

“Isro is already using the technology to help other countries put their equipment in space (for a lucrative fee, of course)… NASA had plenty of spin-offs resulting out of its space program that advanced other fields such as medicine, apparel, food and navigation.”

As Viswanathan says, “This is actually rocket science!”