Akshata Sharma
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When will India send humans to the moon?" was the first question he asked to Somanath through a video message. Somanath replied through another video message in an email within a day that Isro has plans to send humans to space in 2040, and the humans will be sent to space next year as part of the Gaganyaan mission.
Ananthapadmanabhan could only listen to the voice of Somanath as he was undergoing treatment for his eyes.
Ananthapadmanabhan, hailing from Chennankode near Varkala, was admitted to the hospital on April 18 as part of his periodical treatment due to his poor vision by birth. He is a Class IV student at Rose Dale English Medium School in Kallambalam.
Two days later, a patient was admitted next to the boy's room and he helped Ananthapadmanabhan reach out to the Isro chairman.
While meeting the patient, Ananthapadmanabhan asked questions about space and the moon. The person gently told the boy that he was not the person to answer his doubts. The patient then recorded the video clip containing the boy's curious questions and emailed it to Somanath. His other questions were: Are aliens present on the moon? Any plans to send animals to space? Somanath replied that there is no presence of aliens on the moon, and there is no plan to send animals to space.
The immediate response from the Isro chief has put the boy on cloud nine. Somanath also wished him a speedy recovery and conveyed his willingness to meet him one day in person.
"I am very happy that I got a response from the Isro chairman. I am interested in space science. I wish to know more about it. Though I have not decided anything about future plans, I am deeply interested in this subject,"
Ananthapadmanabhan told media from his home.
Ananthapadmanabhan's father, Ditheesh LB, is working in Dubai.
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