Global media focus on India's Mars mission

It’s been a long time when India was written about in International media in a positive light. In most cases, what we, in India, think of as significant developments are given short shrift by global papers, channels and dotcoms. Today, with the successful launch of Mangalyaan, it’s a refreshingly different case. All major digital media products and avatars give the launch top billing, and some positive gush about it. [caption id=“attachment_1211683” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  A screengrab of the rocket being launched.[/caption] “India launches Mars mission in giant leap for super cheap space exploration,” says The Telegraph headline. “Scientists from the Indian Space Research Organisation successfully launched their Mars Orbiter Mission on Tuesday, amid celebrations at mission control. As the launch vehicle soared spaceward scientists from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) could be heard shouting “Buriah!” - brilliant,” the article begins. Ignore, as we bask in a rare moment of international glory, ‘buriah’. “India launches rocket in hope of joining elite Mars explorer club,” is the top story on CNN.com. “A successful mission by India’s Mars orbiter would make the country the first Asian nation to reach the Red Planet — and provide a symbolic coup as neighboring China steps up its ambitions in space. Tuesday’s launch was successful, but the plan to send the Mangalyaan, or “Mars craft,” on a 680 million-kilometer journey into Mars’ orbit has given further credence to claims of an intensifying – although officially unacknowledged — space race developing in Asia, with potentially dangerous ramifications,” says another story on CNN.com_._ “India launches spacecraft to Mars,” is BBC.com's headline. “India has successfully launched a spacecraft to the Red Planet - with the aim of becoming the fourth space agency to reach Mars. The Mars Orbiter Mission took off at 09:08 GMT from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on the country’s east coast,” the article begins. The Wall Street Journal saw fit to have a live blog, peppered with trivia - and a touch of humour. “Just a few minutes before India sends its first spacecraft to Mars, the Twitterati has started counting down. #Mangalyaan, which translates to Mars craft in Hindi, is amongst the top trends in India. What’s trending above #Mangalyaan? #HappyBirthdayVirat, in honor of Indian cricketer Virat Kohli who celebrates his 25th birthday today,” WSJ said. Overall, a good day so far for India as far as global media is concerned. And if Mangalyaan does reach Mars, expect banner headlines across the world.