New ISRO chief is also a classical artist

Thiruvananthapuram: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will see a change of hands at the helm with current chairman G Madhavan Nair retiring at the end of the month and handing charge to Dr K Radhakrishnan, director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre here. Interestingly, it is probably for the first time that an active classical arts performer will be heading any top notch scientific institution in the country.

"He (Radhakrishnan) is a talented and highly competent scientist. He knows things as he has been there in ISRO for 35 years. He will be able to carry forward our plans. We have drawn up plans for 2020-25," Nair told reporters.

Talented he indeed is for Dr K Radhakrishnan is also a keen exponent of Kathakali, a noted classical dance form of Kerala as well as a Carnatic musician who continues to perform along with professionals in both fields.

Meanwhile, Dr K Radhakrishnan has said it was a great challenge to head the country's space agency, and that he was privileged to get the post.

"As a team, in ISRO we need to move ahead. We will do our best to achieve our goals," he said.

"Space applications, satellites and launch vehicles are programmes of thrust. Another important mission is the human space flight programme," he said.