_d.png "Independence Day 2025")
Relive the incredible story of our fascinating space saga, its heroes and challenges in a new engaging podcast narrated by Harsha Bhogle
Chandrayaan-2 lifts off from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh in July 2019. Pic/ PTI
If you love classic underdog stories, this saga as Bhogle puts it 'with elements of a good thriller, an action-packed opening, affable protagonists, unforeseen twists, a ticking clock and a world-class ending,' will wow you. It brings to the table the humble beginnings of the Indian space dream when launching a space programme was considered too ambitious. The country lacked resources and expertise, but never stopped dreaming. The rest is history.
Harsha Bhogle
When asked if he was a space enthusiast while growing up, Bhogle says, "I am from a generation that read the newspaper from beginning to end. We were part-time quizzers who followed Apollo 11 with wide eyes, felt the pain of Apollo 13, knew of Yuri Gagarin and space dog Laika."
He illustrates how he was uncertain how a 12-part series on a country's space programme would translate, but one look at the script, and he knew it would work. "This Indian space story has scientists as heroes and for someone who grew up seeing his father look up to scientists, this was heart-warming. It is a thrilling story that Indians must hear with pride."
ISRO has been extensively covered in pop culture. So what sets this podcast apart, we ask Bhogle. "Quite simply, how they braved the odds and believed in themselves. India was a poor but vibrant country then, and for people to dream big rather than get bogged down by the reality of colonialism that had plundered them is so uplifting."
A testimony to this spirit is the striking anecdote of Thumba, he adds. For those of you who don't know, Thumba, then a sleepy fishing village, near Trivandrum in Kerala became the hub of India's space programme. If you look online, you'll be amazed at rare black-and-white photos of people carrying rockets on bicycles and bullock carts. The podcast is a treasure trove of many such stories.
Log on to Spotify.com
Keep scrolling to read more news
Catch up on all the latest Mumbai news, crime news, current affairs, and a complete guide from food to things to do and events across Mumbai. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates.
Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
