Passion
 After graduating in Science and Engineering (1966) I decided to join Space as a Young Graduate Trainee. My involvement in space activities for more than three decades spreads across sounding rockets, satellite launch vehicles, low earth satellite missions and scientific balloon missions as well as ground stations. Every space mission is a unique learning moment and offers plenty of scope for contribution. There is no end to it, I will continue as long as my body and brain work together.
As a young boy during school holidays I used to go for long walks with my friends away from the village where I was living. What excited me was the clear blue sky with innumerable bright stars and planets. I realised at that moment how miniscule we are in the universe. I haven't lost that feeling.
One day when my son was studying in beginners' class, I visited the school. The mottos of that day were 'there is no substitute for hard work' and 'there is no shortcut to success.' Both captured my attention. I adopted them as motivating and guiding principles in my professional career.
Opportunity
A few years back when I was recollecting my passage through various space activities in different places it struck me why not complete my involvement in space with an interplanetary mission. When I came across an opportunity to join the Mars Express mission, I grabbed it with both hands.
International
Space, by its nature, must be considered at a global level. I cannot forget the days I, along with two colleagues, stayed with a family in a remote village in Japan to witness a launch mission, without knowing a single word of Japanese. Sign language came to our rescue.
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