On Monday (ISRO)- Indian Space Research Organisation chairman S Somnath said that ISRO aims to concentrate on research following the privatisation of the space sector.

During the platinum jubilee celebrations at Raman Research Institute (RRI), he said the step towards privatisation of the space sector would mean that ISRO would focus more on research in upcoming years. ISRO Chairman said that ISRO would concentrate more and more on research and development for cutting-edge technologies in the space domain. The future missions of ISRO, such as Aditya L1 and Chandrayaan 2, along with missions to Venus or for the study of exoplanets that are being developed, I believe there could be more significant engagements of scientists at RRI.

Most operating activities of ISRO have slowly been shifted to NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the marketing component of ISRO, which focuses on enhancing private sector participation in the Indian space field.

He said this is going to be an enormous change and needs support. Institutions like Raman Research Institute (RRI) can link with ISRO in creating more front-end research via laboratories and establishments developed through ISRO.

Meanwhile, the Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Dr. Srivari Chandrashekhar, who observed the celebrations virtually, urged faculty at Raman Research Institute (RRI) and other institutes to join hands in order to benefit society. Chandrashekhar said, along with excellent fundamental research activities- I would like to witness RRI carrying out research with direct benefit to society in areas like health and related industries. DST has played a significant role in promoting science and technology in the country.