From Maoist-Hit Malkangiri To ISRO, Odisha Scientist Hailed For Crucial Role In Chandrayaan-3 Mission

Malkangiri: As India scripted history with the success of ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 mission, people in Odisha’s tribal-dominated Malkangiri are proud that a young scientist from the district played a major role in the ambitious project.

Among the brilliant scientists who contributed towards the historic feat achieved by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is Jayant Kumar Haldar from Malkangiri district, once known as a Maoist-hit area.

Jayant, who hails from an inaccessible and remote village of the district, played a significant role in ISRO’s lunar mission. He was part of the ambitious project as a senior scientist at the Mechanism Department in Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram, his family members said.

After completing his B.Tech in Aerospace Engineering in 2012, Jayant got the opportunity to work as a junior scientist at Sriharikota-based Satish Dhawan Space Centre till 2018.

Thereafter, he moved to the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and is currently working there as a senior mechanism scientist.

His crucial contribution in Chandrayaan-3 mission has made his family, friends, and near and dear ones proud.

Happy over the success story, Jayant’s mother said the entire family is proud that he was part of India achievement.

Recalling that the young scientist had been good at studies since childhood, locals said he managed to overcome major hurdles to scale new heights even though he lost his father, who was a teacher. “Not only Malkangiri but entire Odisha is proud of the role played by Jayant in the spectacular achievement made by the country,” said a villager.