The whole of India was waiting for Mangalyaan, the indigenous spacecraft, to land in the orbit of Mars. The scientists at ISRO were watching its performance with bated breath. At last the long-awaited moment arrived. The anxious wait was over. Mangalyaan had succeeded in its maiden mission and had made history. The landing of Mangalyaan in the orbit of Mars is a glorious tribute to the Indian scientists and India’s space-agency, ISRO.
The main reason behind their success was their willingness and readiness to take the big risk. They were concerned only with their efforts. They had not a clue to the success of their venture and yet they forged ahead. Most often than not we do whatever we do after taking calculated risks. “What are the dangers involved?” “What about my safety?” “Will it pay off?” are some of the questions for which we try to obtain sure answers. Even if there is only an iota of doubt we back out or shelve the project. It is only when we are one hundred percent sure that we dare to take the plunge (sometimes literally).
A person learns to swim only if he dares to go into the water. You will be able to drive your car only if you sit behind the wheel. The same is true of any activity that we undertake. People just do not make it to the top of Mount Everest or cross the English Channel by chance. A lot of preparation and study go into it, but the most important factor is the spirit of adventure and taking the risk of venturing into territory that you have never visited before.
Of late, many young people have taken to mountain trekking and other adventure sports like rafting, bungee-diving, water-surfing etc. The unknown awakens in them — the curiosity to know what lies at the top of the mountain or deep below the waters of the ocean. It fills them with the thrill of doing something they have never attempted before, something extraordinary.
Very often parents are overprotective about their children. As a result, the child may be too scared to do even the normal everyday things that he is supposed to do. Instead, parents should send the child to school picnics and outings. In fact even family picnics can be organized where the child can interact freely with nature –climbing trees, swimming in the river etc. In schools where Scouting and Guiding are taught, scouts and guides are taken on hikes and treks and are taught several valuable lessons and skills in the same. Scout and guide camps and jamborees are also very helpful. Children can be exposed to written accounts of adventures so that they can be inspired to follow in the footsteps of adventurous people. Of course, they should be careful and alert. Most importantly, they should be warned about taking the necessary precautions and safety measures.
If no one dared to explore new areas and fields, there would have been no Christopher Columbus, Edmund Hillary, Tensing Norgay, Neil Armstrong, Edwin Aldrin, Sunita Williams or Kalpana Chawla.
