Assam youth makes NE proud with Nasa feat

On April 9, 22-year old Manash Pratim Borah became the first person from the NE and eastern region to have led an Indian team to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and win the Best International Team Award – Jesco Von Puttkamer Award — at the Nasa Human Exploration Rover Challenge, 2016.
Manash and his team won the award for creating a human exploration rover for alien surface with a non-pneumatic wheel that has never been used before.It uses glass fibre and has spoke-suspension and is one of the most durable designs ever created. Manash also became the first from the entire region to become the Space Ambassador to India on behalf of Nasa and the International Space Education Institute (ISEI), Germany on April 19. He succeeded aspiring astronaut Jasleen Josan.
His journey to glory has not been supported or even recognized by the government so far. Speaking to TOI, Manash said, "I have been appreciated by many for my achievement. MP Gaurav Gogoi also called to congratulate me. But I didn't get the support when I needed it the most."
Manash comes from a middle class family. His father Khogen C Borah has retired from service at the agricultural department of the Assam government. "I needed quite a lot of money for travelling to the US, Moscow and Germany and to pay for the materials to prepare the moon buggy that made my team eligible to participate in the competition. I approached the erstwhile Assam CM's office but was turned away because it was election time. I also called the CM's residence to set up an appointment but was declined," he said.
Reacting to this, an official close to the CM said, "The release of funds takes time which Manash had very little on his hand. Moreover, he came to us with a plea for funds just before the elections. And as such it was very hectic for us. We asked him to submit an application after he returned from the US and we shall be more than happy to assist him in any way we can. We will definitely commend his achievement officially."
Manash and his team comprising two other members had to spend over Rs 12 lakh for the buggy and travelling to Germany, Moscow and the US. The money they pooled in was not enough. Fortunately, they received funds from Tec Mantra Labs, Delhi, which eventually led to their stupendous win at the Nasa.
Commenting on his role as a space ambassador to India, Manash said, "I will look after space enthusiasts like me who have the potential to make it big. I will guide them in various aspects of work and projects of Nasa and ISEI."