Why give aid to a country sending rockets to Mars?

[lemontree]

Gents we are going off topic.

To those against the Mars mission, I say let us spend on our space missions. Our space programme provided us with the weather satellites that helped us to save 1 million lives during the recent cyclone Phaline. Wheather it reaches Mars or not is a different matter, it is the exercise towards that goal is what matters the most.

[Doktor]

Gents we are going off topic.

To those against the Mars mission, I say let us spend on our space missions. Our space programme provided us with the weather satellites that helped us to save 1 million lives during the recent cyclone Phaline. Wheather it reaches Mars or not is a different matter, it is the exercise towards that goal is what matters the most.

At a peanuts cost if I may add. Even if all those lives were saved without the satellites, I am willing to extend a butter cookie bet that even the material damages are reduced and the gains are far better then $75mn.

[antimony]

Gents we are going off topic.

To those against the Mars mission, I say let us spend on our space missions. Our space programme provided us with the weather satellites that helped us to save 1 million lives during the recent cyclone Phaline. Wheather it reaches Mars or not is a different matter, it is the exercise towards that goal is what matters the most.

Captain,

I will add a little bit to this post.

This explanation is fine of those within India/ India citizens and institutions.

To all external parties who are raising a hue and cry, I say screw you and KMA

[Double Edge]

Gents we are going off topic.

To those against the Mars mission, I say let us spend on our space missions. Our space programme provided us with the weather satellites that helped us to save 1 million lives during the recent cyclone Phaline. Wheather it reaches Mars or not is a different matter, it is the exercise towards that goal is what matters the most.

Yeah, the death counts were very low, in the 30s (!) Over a three quarter of a million people were shifted out of harm's way, they did not have the option to refuse. Phillipines was not this fortunate.

We've definitely learnt a lot since the 2004 tsunami. Early warning systems in place. 5 days advance notice. Orissa govt did good here in reducing casualties.

[Oracle]

So you are one of those people that would pull down an individual for aiming for the stars. It is the kind of mentality that keeps India back. I do not agree with your thinking or mentality.

I encourage India to go full steam in its space exploration. What you espouse is the sort of drivel espoused by left leaning people or people who believes in the stupid "white man's burden" crap.

You don't speak for the nation with the kind of view you are espousing.

You see it's the economic situation in India, plus the corruption scandals - which if I might add I have encountered a few, have made me lost all sense of expectations from this Government. I think, even if the Govt or various agencies do something right, I'd only highlight the negativity. Colored view.
However, thank you for this blasted post, I accept my response was wrong. And relax, I believe in meritocracy and I'm not a socialist or a communist.

[Officer of Engineers]

At some point, money doesn't matter. Crops can't grow any faster no matter how much money you throw at it. A single brick can't made any faster even if you want to pay a $1mil per brick. At that point, it's better to use the money for something else than to artificially inflate the price of crops and bricks. Space exploration is a very good place.

I come to believe dreams are just as important as food and shelter.

[Oracle]

I am sorry but that is so ignorant that I am not even gonna bother responding to.

Here is a rejoinder to your nihilistic view from the top man of DRDO. Link here: BBC News - India's space-based 'revolution'

Another rejoinder this time by a westerner. Link here India prepares to take flight to Mars with the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) | The Planetary Society

I actually would go with what Tronic said, that Indian officials are corrupt while implementing projects. Overall, I agree with you and also addressing Tronic's post # 9 that it's infact money spent on RnD, and considering the amount of money spent, very well spent.

If we go by DFID, then the total budget for 2013-14 is 162, 171, 556 pounds. Source here.

As Antimony puts it, we should reject aid and with which I'm in complete agreement, we also have to ask ourselves is the Government doing enough? They aren't, that's where (even if a fraction of) this money is spent. But then, these are two different topics and cannot be compared.

Not sensible, its a non-sequitur kind of question :slap:

This mission is billed at around 500 crores, or ~$85 million. You think that's enough to address that list you have there.

India sends a mission to Mars to keep its scientists busy and thinking. full stop. The one thing we actually do R & D about instead of buying wholesale from abroad.

Over twenty years ago India was bankrupt, if somebody said at that time that we would be sending something to Mars you'd have thought it ridiculous. How is it that since we actually launched something in that direction. What will the next twenty have in store.

Shooting something in that direction is half the problem, getting it there another. landing yet another. Fingers crossed nothing goes wrong as this is very challenging.

Agree mate.

[Double Edge]

I come to believe dreams are just as important as food and shelter.

That is what our former president, second last from the current, rocket man Kalam said :)

Any time he'd visit kids schools, he'd just ask the kids to dream and imagine. Everything else would follow from there.

[lemontree]

An update:

BBC News - Indian Mars probe crosses Moon's orbit

The Indian Mar's probe has crossed the moon's orbit.