[Assam] ISS Astronaut interacts with Manipuri students

[Rajen & Ajanta Barua]

Full Story:
http://www.morungexpress.com/regional/13605.html


ISS Astronaut interacts with Manipuri students
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Newmai News Network Imphal
: "NORTH EAST India is among the most beautiful places and that the
best thing of the North East region of India is its rich natural
resources, take good care of it," says astronaut Edward Michael "Mike"
Fincke while talking to students of Manipur online from the
International Space Station (ISS) on Sunday.
During the historic
event under the banner "Space Talk" was organized at the Central
Agricultural University (CAU) Manipur, in Imphal sponsored and
coordinated by the Friends of Assam and Seven Sisters (FASS) fourteen
students from the state spoke to astronaut Edward Michael "Mike"
Fincke. About 400 students including some school teachers attended the
event.
The talk which started from 3:36 pm and 19 seconds lasted for
about ten minutes during which Edward Michael Fincke who is also known
as Mike Fincke or the son in law of the North East, also the commander
of the Expedition-18, expressed his desire to visit Manipur if possible
in the near future after completing his mission. "Manipur is very close
to Assam, lets see what we can do and I will try" Fincke added when he
was being asked by a student for any chance of visiting in the
state.
"Kumrumjari, Aphaba Oiyu and Thagatchari" are the
three words he uttered, when he was asked whether he had any idea of
Manipuri language and the whole room burst into applaud. Fincke
revealed that during their frequent passing along north east area he
can see Loktak Lake which is very beautiful when seen from space,
however it is most of the time foggy, he added.
Mike Fincke also
shares his experience of being an astronaut and their mission in the
space during the talk with the students. When asked about giving words
of hopes from the ISS for the North East he said, "North East India is
most beautiful place and the best thing of the North East Region of
India is its rich natural resources, take good care of it, since my
childhood I aimed to become an astronaut, I never gave up, I work hard
to achieve my dream and so as you."
Being inspired by the
historic event of talking to astronaut Edward Michael "Mike" Fincke
online from International Space Station (ISS) on Sunday, many Manipuri
students expressed their desire to become an astronaut someday.
Interacting
with the media persons to share there experiences after attending the
space talk one Santila, an eleventh standard student of JNV Khumbong
school said, "I feel that I am the most luckiest person today for being
able to attend the space talk, I am thrilled to hear an astronaut
online from outer space for the first time of my life, my aim in life
is to become a doctor and now I am looking forward to become one."  A
tenth standard student of Nirmalabas school one Jenifer has to say
this,  "I always dream of becoming an astronaut and after attending the
space talk I am more inspired and determined to become an astronaut."
 Er.
Bidyananda Barkakoty, the general secretary of FASS revealed the space
talk is a unique event of which few can achieve the opportunity and
Manipur has also is now among the achievers of such unique event. He
also said that the talk has been coordinated by the Amateur Radio
ground station collaborated by nine countries, HAM radio station,
Queensland Australia.
While terming the event as the historic event
in the history of Manipur, the Dean of the CAU, Manipur said that the
"thanks" should go to Mike the son in law of the North East. He also
requested Mike for a visit in the state of which the astronaut in
positive manner replied "Thagatchari (thanks). Mike married to an
Assamese woman.





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