Hyd to host Miss World pageant from May 7-31

The Andhra Pradesh government has issued orders appointing former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman Sreedhara Panicker Somanath, as honorary advisor (space technology) to advise the state government, among others, on policies to enhance the adoption of space technology in governance, industry and research.

- Srinivasa Rao Apparasu

HYDERABAD:

Somanath, who is presently professor in Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, will hold the post for a period of two years or till the necessity of the post ceases. He will be given the cabinet minister rank with all facilities and perks.

As the advisor to the government, Somanath will suggest programmes to align space technology applications with state priorities such as smart cities, disaster management etc, guide the establishment of advanced space technology hubs, testing facilities, and research centres, support the deployment of indigenous satellites, remote sensing, and communication technologies by the state government and promote the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), satellite navigation, and AI-driven space analytics.

The government on Wednesday also issued separate orders appointing three other prominent personalities as its honorary advisors. They are - former chairman of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) G Sateesh Reddy, managing director of Bharat Biotech Suchitra Ella and renowned forensic scientist KPC Gandhi.

Sateesh Reddy, who was also a former scientific advisor to Raksha Mantri, will act as honorary advisor to the Andhra Pradesh government in the aerospace and defence manufacturing hub. Suchitra Ella, a Padma Bhushan awardee who pioneered Covaxin during the Covid-19 pandemic, will advise the state government on handlooms and handicrafts development.

Similarly, Gandhi, who was former director of Andhra Pradesh Forensic Science Laboratory, will advise the government on forensic sciences issues.