[briandear]

Having spent considerable time in India, I might argue that running water and sanitation might be a bigger accomplishment than landing on the moon. Much of India is profoundly poor — some of the worst absolute poverty I have ever seen anywhere on Earth. Sending rockets to space seems to be a mission of vanity and pride more than an actual benefit to the Indian people.

[thewhitetulip]

The space program proved to be a boon when there was a severe cyclone in the state of Odisha

Entire state was devastated and yet few people lost their lives because they were able to predict the cyclone and take measures for safety.

Your argument has merit, I live in India! But the thing is, if we were a country that starves its poor folk while running behind space program then you are 100% right

But Indian government has typically worked for lifting people out of dire poverty. Just look at standard of living. This Modi govermnet has taken social steps way beyond ex govt. Modi govt has deposited aid money straight in accounts of people. Thus reducing corruption

So India is doing both, sanitation, road and space.

[worldexplorer]

Why can't we do everything together? India has enough budget. Just needs to make execution right and corruption free.

have a look at how India cleanest city manages its waste - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyTzv3L2WVc

[astatine]

tehlike's response earlier in the thread is particularly appropriate here: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20171915

[thewhitetulip]

Exactly! We just see the price but not the inventions or background technology created as a by product of space research