Union minister Jitendra Singh on Sunday said Jammu and Tripura will get the country's first full-fledged Space Technology Research Centre. While the first centre in north India will function under the aegis of Jammu-based Central University, the Tripura centre will work under the aegis of Agartala-based National Institute of Technology (NIT).

Singh said, "These centres will devote to research, academics and post graduation study. They will offer an opportunity for scholars and youngsters who have aptitude for space science to explore a new career and research option." The minister made the announcement on the beginning of year-long "Sarabhai Centenary" programmes of Isro starting from Sunday, the 99th birth anniversary of Dr Vikram Sarabhai .

In another kid outreach programme like Nasa , Isro is going to teach schoolchildren in space activities to develop their "scientific temper". Isro chairman K Sivan told TOI: "The space agency will organise training camps for students for 25 to 30 days. These students will be educated on space activities and will be taken to the space laboratory and launch facilities. They will also be allowed to make their small satellite."

