AdminThousands of applicants applied and the list went through its first round of selection. 100 applicants made it and Taranjeet is among them. He is the only Sikh on the list. From these 100, 24 will ultimately be selected for a one way trip to Mars to start the first colony on the red planet. […]
Thousands of applicants applied and the list went through its first round of selection. 100 applicants made it and Taranjeet is among them. He is the only Sikh on the list. From these 100, 24 will ultimately be selected for a one way trip to Mars to start the first colony on the red planet. Taranjeet Singh is good mannered, well humored, open-minded, intelligent, adventurous and spiritual. If humans meet martians surely an earthling like Taranjeet will leave a good impression. Here is our conversation with him and going to Mars.
Can you tell us a little more about yourself and your background?
Born and raised in India and Sikh-Punjabi heritage, I am pursuing the doctoral degree in computer science at the University of Central Florida in USA. I served two consecutive years as chairperson in Indian student association spreading Indian cultural awareness and bringing universal integrity among various student organizations. Past two summers, I have taken responsibility of welcoming new Indians student at UCF by arranging airport pickups and temporary accommodations. Outside campus, I have been involved in the various events organized by Interfaith Council of Central Florida and raising awareness of different issues such as anti-bullying in schools and hate crimes in the community.
My hobbies include serving community, exploring scientific knowledge, and spreading smiles. My parents and two elder sister who are married live in Indore, India. I am very simple person who believe that we are spiritual beings on human experience in this world. I value compassion and caring for all people, including self.
Do you have further aspirations for education?
I planned to enter academia after completing my current education. I have been teaching since first years in bachelors. I can understand very mindset of students in order to explain the problem. I love school and its learning environment.
If you are selected for the mission, what will be the first thing you’ll do when you arrive on the red planet?
Obviously, it is very difficult to express emotions and feeling of landing on Mars. It will depend on the mental condition, circumstances as well as hardship involved. One thing is certain that I will pay my gratitude to Waheguru for the safe journey and blessing for the life on Mars. I will stretch my body and take a run on red planet after spending seven months in small transit habitat for sure.
What do you think of the prospect of never returning to earth?
Yes. It is a one way trip to Mars and they have no plans to bring back us as of now. I think it is one incredible opportunity to leave your footprints in the course of human history. Getting people to Mars will be bigger than any single leap of exploration people of this planet ever taken. Regarding the clause “point of no return” also has brighter side to it. This clause actually provides extra motivation to astronauts and prevent them FROM HOMEsickness or mental trauma to pass the time anyway and go back to Earth as nobody will come to take them home and they have to accept Mars as their new home. The separation from loved ones, which will occur certainly at someone point in life, so why having fear of it. As somebody once told, “Future does not belong to the faint hearted, it belongs to the brave”.
Is there anything in Sikhi that helps to inspire you about Mars One?
As a member of the Sikh community, I strongly believe that Sikhi helps me a lot to prepare my mind for this mission. Removing the fear of death, a detachment of worldly things, and taking a righteous stand in the society is all part of the Sikh tradition. Sikh scripture talk about the existence of other worlds where life exist and we are not alone in the universe. I am committed to living my life with Sikh way of life style which includes earn honestly, share with needy and serve selflessly. Living in the Rehat makes me ideal candidate for this mission. Treat others with kindness, abandon any intoxicating substance, and maintain a healthy mental and physical state are valuable teaching of Sikhi.
Do you have a message for the youth?
manas ki jat sabhe eke paihcanbo – recognise all of mankind as a single caste of humanity. It is a great illusion when we think that people living with us in home as our only family. We understand the importance of neighbors when we visit other states. Two Indians share happiness seeing each other in other countries. Similarly, we will understand the importance of being human species together as a family when we start journey out of this earth and start looking for life on another planet. This thinking will give us motivation to unite and bring ends to all wars.
~ Source: sikhnet.com