SINHGAD INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT AND COMPUTER APPLICATION

BOOK REVIEW

THE SCIENTIFIC INDIAN

A TWENTY FIRST CENTURY GUIDE TO THE WORLD AROUND US

A.P.J. ABDUL KALAM Y.S.RAJAN

BY, VIRAJ PURAM

MBA B ROLL NO. 26

AUTHORS:A.P.J. ABDUL KALAM He is one of Indias most distinguished scientists. Dr Kalam was principal scientific advisor to the government of India holding the rank of a cabinet minister from 1999 to 2001. He was awarded Bharat Ratna in 1997. He became the eleventh President of India in 2002 and held office till 2007. His focus now is on transforming India into a developed nation by 2020. He has been involved in teaching research and has taken up a mission to ignite young minds for national development.

Y S Rajan Yagnaswami Sundara Rajan is a well recognised authority on technology development, business management and societal linkages. He held various positions of responsibility related to science and technology between 1988 and 2002, and has shaped key policies and implemented several successful R & D projects with industry participation. He is currently principal advisor, CII. Dr. Rajan is a fellow of Indian National Academy of Engineers and a member of International Aeronautical Academy.

Synopsis:The book is divided into three parts

1. Space

2. Earth

3. Life

SPACE Space begins just above the surface. It is divided into various parts such as atmosphere, troposphere, stratosphere, ionosphere, etc. The space beyond the atmosphere is called the outer space. These are concerned with space technology. India started its tryst with outer space in 1980, with the launch of the satellite named ROHINI with the indigenously made satellite launch vehicle SLV 3. India became the 7th space faring nation. There are various types of satellite such as polar, geosynchronous, remote sensing, etc. Propellants are the fuels that are for launching the satellite. There are various types of propellants CTPB, UDMH, etc. Satellite applications Remote sensing Disaster management Communication network Nanotechnology ISRO Indian space research organisation is responsible for Indian space programmes. Some of the missions are PSLV C9

CARTOSAT 2A IMS 1

INSAT Indian National Satellite system IRS Indian Remote Sensing ISF International Space Force

EARTH Our earth appears to be unique, not only in our galaxy but perhaps in the entire universe, including other galaxy. The earths position in the solar system appears to be perfect in order to sustain life. Water is vital to life. If you look at the earth on a globe or in a flat map, you will see blue, denoting water, all over in the massive oceans and seas and even in lakes and rivers. The total amount of water on Earth is about 1400 million cubic km. Disaster management Earthquakes Flood and water management Layers of earth The crust The mantle The liquid inner core The solid inner core Biosphere The biosphere is the biological component of earth systems, which also include the lithosphere, hydrosphere,

atmosphere and other spheres (e.g. cryosphere, anthrosphere, etc). The biosphere includes all living organisms on earth, together with the dead organic matter produced by them. Biodiversity Biogeochemical cycles

LIFE Food is the sustainer of life. Food provides energy to living beings so it is essential for survival and growth. The steady availability of nutritious food is essential for human beings. Agriculture Fisheries During the industrial revolution in the 19th century energy and electricity were given real importance. The only source of energy on Earth is the Sun. Energies are of two types renewable and non-renewable. Electricity is the key to modern civilisation. It is inconceivable to think of modern operational system cannot run without electricity. All the resources available from nature and benefits of technology are enjoyable only when we have good health. India has a proud heritage in medicine.