By
Shevlin Sebastian
From
the time Joffy Jose was a child, growing up in Guruvayur, he has been
fascinated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). “I
would read up about ISRO all the time,” says Joffy, who has studied
only till Class 10. Following his marriage to Mollywood playback
singer Liji Francis, Joffy came up with the idea of doing a song
about ISRO.
The
music video, a Hindi song by Liji, showcases the major achievements
of ISRO, like the launch of the first satellite, Aryabhata, the first
mission to the Moon – Chandrayaan-1, as well as the Mars Orbiter
Mission (Mangalayaan).
The
song, which has been written by lyricist V. Mahadevan, begins like
this:
Theree
Kasam
Aan
Aur Shaan Hum Laayenge
Maa
Theree Kasam
Roshan
Karenge Theree Naam.
Aasmaan
Ko Chuenge
Thaaraon
Se Milenge
Aan
Aur Shaan Hum Laayenge
(Promise
on you
We
shall bring pride and prestige
Mother
India
Promise
on you.
Your
name will be made brighter
We
shall touch the skies
Meet
with the stars
We
shall bring pride and prestige)
The
couple's four-year-old daughter, Velga, runs aloft with an Indian
flag in the five-minute video. The others who were involved are
Mollywood personnel Binu Parameshwaram (camera), Philip Jaykumar
(music), Rathyush Ramachandran (technical advisor) and Abdul Jabbar
(editing/direction).
“They
asked for little,” says the Kochi-based Joffy, who runs Gulf Tech,
an electrical and home appliance maintenance firm. “In fact, they
were keen to be part of the project.” Overall, Joffy and Liji had
to spend Rs 3 lakh.
“I
don't have a problem with the cost,” says Liji. “The idea is very
interesting. I believe it will appeal to young and old alike. This is
the first song ever on ISRO.”
The
couple showed the video to Thrikkakara MLA Benny Behanan, who liked
it. He
then arranged for Chief Minister Oommen Chandy to view it at Cliff
House, Thiruvananthapuram. Later, the CM agreed to release it,
provided there is an all-clear by ISRO. So, the couple went to
Bangalore and met the then Chairman K. Radhakrishnan last year.
“Radhakrishnan
Sir also liked the song,” says Joffy. “But he said he would
prefer images of him to be replaced by team pics.”
Joffy
and Liji felt encouraged. There were a few exchanges of e-mails. But
once Radhakrishnan retired on December 31, 2014, there has been no
response from ISRO. After a seven-month lull, Joffy is now planning
to petition Prime Minister Narendra Modi to release it.
(The
New Indian Express, Kerala editions)
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