Only India qualified to advocate world peace, says ISRO scientist

Chennai: Only India is qualified to advocate world peace and it certainly could become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, ISRO scientist and former CEO and MD of BrahMos A Sivathanu Pillai said on Thursday while delivering the 167th convocation address of University of Madras. As higher education minister Govi Chezhian, pro-chancellor of the university, did not attend the event, 1,323 students, including 896 women, received degrees from governor R N Ravi. Guru Nanak College assistant professor M G Ragunathan received Madras University's highest degree, DSC (Doctor of Science). As many as 1.72 lakh students from university departments and affiliated colleges, including autonomous colleges, and 19,859 distance education candidates will receive their degrees in absentia. Speaking about India's advancements, Sivathanu said, "In 2047, with a sustained GDP growth rate of 7%, India has a chance to become a $30 trillion economy. ISRO placed 433 foreign satellites from 32 countries and is looking at space tourism as part of revenue generation."He said India was the only country to have an operational multi-platform supersonic cruise missile in its armoury — BrahMos. "Its effectiveness was proved in Operation Sindoor," he added.On the climate change front, he said, "Humanity must move towards the common goal of net zero carbon." In line with this, the nation should move towards fusion reactors that use non-radioactive Helium-3 extracted from the Moon and plan to bring in a solar-powered satellite for developing energy security with zero carbon emissions, Sivathanu added.