'Nasa can no longer depend on Indians'

From the Times of India: 'Nasa can no longer depend on Indians'



MUMBAI: With many Indian space scientists returning to their country post-9/11, the US space agency, Nasa, is feeling the need to focus on "homegrown brains", Nasa administrator Charles Bolden has said.

The Nasa chief made it clear during a meeting with members of Council on Foreign Relations in Washington on Monday.

"Nasa can no longer depend on expatriates", he said. Bolden remarked that after 9/11 it became tough for Indians and Asians to get into the US and stay there. He said Indian space scientists wanted to return to their country because they were keen to help develop India's space technology and lead a "hassle-free life".

He told the meeting: "What a lot of them are starting to do today is they're going back home. You know especially Indians. They're saying why should I go through this hassle? I can go back to my own country and I can really make a difference," Bolden said.