India has lost one of its most eminent space scientists, N Valarmathi, who was the voice behind ISRO’s launch countdowns. She passed away on Saturday evening due to a heart attack in Chennai. She was 64.
Valarmathi joined ISRO in 1984 and was the project director of RISAT-1, India’s first indigenously developed Radar Imaging Satellite, which was launched in 2012. She also participated in several other missions of the space agency and was the recipient of the prestigious Abdul Kalam Award in 2015.
Her last announcement was for Chandrayaan-3, India’s third lunar mission, which successfully landed on the moon’s south pole in August this year. She had been the voice for ISRO launches for almost six years and had become a familiar and reassuring presence for millions of Indians who watched the live telecasts.
Valarmathi’s demise is not only a loss for her family, but also for the country. She was a role model for many young women who aspire to pursue careers in science and technology. She was also a valuable asset for ISRO, which has been making remarkable strides in space exploration and innovation.
ISRO scientists like Valarmathi deserve more recognition and appreciation from the government and society than any celebrity. They are the ones who are working tirelessly to advance India’s space programs and contribute to the nation’s development and security. They are the true heroes who make us proud and inspire us to dream big.
