Space, in India, has become deeply intertwined with many facets of the national developmental endeavour. As we continue into the 21st Century, the relevance of space as demonstrated by India is becoming even more applicable to a large number of countries across the world, faced with the daunting problems of development and improving the quality of life. Further, the growing role of space in addressing issues of environment and sustainability of development as well as in the formulation of the related policies, treaties and conventions adds to the importance of this endeavour on a global scale (Kasturirangan 2004b). It is in this context that I thought it worthwhile to provide a model for organizing space research activities addressing particularly the peculiar problems of a developing country. Our approach to growing a world class space program highlights the fact that bold and imaginative adoption of new technologies to accelerate the process of development is realistic even with modest investment. Space, thus is well within the reach of the developing world, and even more important could be a sustainable endeavour. What is needed is a vision, forward looking leadership and above all the political will. I hope the pragmatic approaches, elucidated here, will serve to inspire embarking on such an exciting and meaningful venture by countries not touched by its innovative consequences.

Turning the spotlight again on India and her dreams to transform herself into a developed nation in the very early part of 21^st century, it is pertinent to note that the mix of strategies and planned approaches evolved so far by Indian space program have the potency to fire a powerful vision of future space endeavours. In its core part, this vision will continue to orient space activities towards societal needs such as education, health services, sustainable management of resources and environment, disaster manage­ment support and so on, possibly with new generations of thematic satellite constellations. Further, it could embrace new steps for expanding the horizons of knowledge through front ranking missions for space exploration in a way that strengthens international cooperation. Future space missions will also be strong instruments for new advances in technology bringing in new synergies such as those between air and space, energy and matter, and living and nonliving objects. Our vision has to cater to younger generation, whose population will be over one half of a billion, for technological leadership, environmental stewardship and economic prosperity (Kasturirangan 2004c). While the strategic framework of the Indian space endeavour will evolve further in response to the changing environment India could even leverage space capabilities in bringing greater global integration in many other human endeavours. It is important to recognize the values that gave those strategies potency and vitality. Striving always to keep Space relevant to the public, transparency, accountability, drive for excellence, cost-effectiveness and team culture are the backbones of the strategy. They are responsible for the success of the Indian Space Enterprise and indeed for effectiveness of its strategic thinking and planning.

Before I conclude, it is appropriate to recall the extraordinary directions provided by the successive leaderships of the organization; M.G.K. Menon, Satish Dhawan and U.R. Rao; scientists with vision and deep understanding of the role of technology in national development. The culture of team spirit is a special attribute of the space program. We recall with pride the yeoman contributions made by our present President H.E. Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in creating and nurturing this culture when he headed the India’s prestigious first launch vehicle project SLV3. The success story of space program is also a tribute to the sustained enthusiasm, dedication and hard work of men and women of ISRO/DOS and other cooperating agencies.

To all of them and to the political system symbolized by the late Shri K R Narayanan, we owe the credit for touching the lives of millions of people towards a sustainable improved quality of life.