India over the moon but science still undermined

On Wednesday morning, just after sunrise, Chandrayaan-1 - India's first unmanned mission to the moon - blasted off. History was made as the orbiter started its journey with a mission to study the moon. It's being described as a huge breakthrough for India and for the team of scientists at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
Once the space craft reaches the moon, a small probe will descend from the craft to the surface of the moon. The probe will carry the Indian flag to demonstrate that this is a historic Indian achievement.
However, despite this huge achievement, there is a sense that India as a country has failed to popularise science as a lifestyle and is instead teaching is as a mere subject which needs to be crammed.
The question that was being asked on CNN-IBN's Face The Nation was: Mission Moon Successful: Has India failed to popularise science?
On the panel of experts to try and answer the question were Scientific Officer Science Popularise Association of Communicators and Educators (SPACE), Nikhil Pawar; Head of the Science Department Springdales School, Anita Luthra; and Space Law Expert, Dr Ranjana Kaul.
ISRO has come of age: Rakesh Sharma
MOONSTRUCK
India's first ever unmanned moon mission had a perfect lift-off at 06:22 hours IST on Wednesday morning. Chandrayaan-1 is orbitting Earth at the moment and will enter the moon's orbit on November 8, 2008.
India's first man in space, Wing Commander (Retd) Rakesh Sharma, who in 1984 spent a record eight days in space aboard a Soviet aircraft said, "Well, I would say, its a small step for science, for India through the efforts of ISRO, that's how I would describe it. Essentially it's the beginning of the exploration era and to tell the world now ISRO has now sort of come of age and that it is ready and able to take part in collaborative ventures to explore near earth object."
The successful launch has earned kudos for Indian scientists and school children across the country are delighted.
"What it really opens up is I think is whole new career option for youngsters. I think this is where we can expect kids to look beyond IT and it's a very lucky generation because within their lifetime they are going to be exploring space," Rakesh Sharma said.
Former ISRO chairman, U R Rao added, "It is am important step for us because we have for the first time, got into space. For the common man it is a great achievement and for the children, I think it is a great sense of pride as well as excitement because it will increase their interest in science and exploration."