Take-away from Rocket Boys

1. Affluence

In this series, we come across two gentlemen, who are born with a silver spoon and have a comfortable lifestyle. Very rarely do we come across a story on any Indian cinematic platform where the rich and wealthy citizens are shown contributing to the nation’s growth.

2. Socio-Economic

As viewers, we are used to the same old rags to riches, born in poor families, did struggle and won over all the obstacles stories. The story of Sarabhai and Bhabha has posh homes like the Retreat, fancy cars, reputed colleges, lead scientists playing piano, and has paintings in his house, so-called fluent ‘English’ speaking professors and students working on technology rather than being sorry about their socio-economic status.

3. Father and Son

Considering how difficult it is today for a father to accept his son not joining him in a well-established business prospering from generations, imagine a wealthy Gujarati and Jain industrialist, who could have asked his son to expand his business nationally and internationally rather than support his son to do what he wanted. A rare occasion is shown in a cinematic platform where the father is supportive and progressive at the same time.

4. Great Men

We are introduced to the legends in one frame. CV Raman, Homi Bhabha, and Vikram Sarabhai. All of whom we used to study in books and imagine as great scientists are standing right in one frame and talking, discussing, and laughing. Again, Homi Bhabha encouraged Vikram Sarabhai and Sarabhai motivated APJ Abdul Kalam. All the legends together having cordial relationships not only shows the great camaraderie and brotherhood culture that once we had in contemporaries or colleagues in India but also it is beyond the imagination of how deeply it will create an impact on the young generation of our country who look up to these legends.

5. Nation First

In one of the episodes, Dr. Vikram Sarabhai says, ‘Desh Ki Prathmikta, Hamare Ghar Mein Yahi Sikhaya Hai’ is one of the reasons why he became THE VIKRAM SARABHAI. Anything we do, putting the nation above everything, is the actual Dharm of every citizen and if everyone thinks like this India @ 100 can be a different story than we could even imagine. These legends are the template for us to know whom to look up to, whom to admire in life.

6. Scientists are Artists

They are smart, intelligent, well aware of society, arts, and culture. Both artists and scientists are similar in their approaches to their work. Both try, fail, and succeed. Both are rational and emotional. A scientist never stops trying until he succeeds and the same goes with an artist. A scientist works with theories and proof based on fact. An artist works on facts mainly based on nature. In the end, their instinct and a larger goal drive them to create the impossible.

7. Larger Purpose

When we start working for the nation, the motivation is never-ending. When we work for ourselves, we may get tired or may feel demotivated because the scope of its impact is very limited to us or few people associated with us. But, when it comes to our city, state, or nation-building, the vision and cause are large enough that getting demotivated or tired is out of the question. The satisfaction of doing something for the nation keeps you walking the long mile.

8. Focus

It is easy to dream but difficult to be focused and consistent on fulfilling it. Homi Bhabha and Sarabhai are legends because of their focus and consistency. They faced several obstacles that we could not think of, but in the end, they made India proud.

9. Holistic Development

Due to his Montessori education (which is not shown in the series), Dr. Sarabhai had an all-around development. He was a Humanitarian first, and then a great scientist. We have seen many inventors/scientists/leaders, who because of their scientific philosophy have created destruction but Sarabhai was not amongst them.

10. Direction

A progressive India is shown with international production be its camera angles, background music, production set up. However, what took the lead were the characters and the director. While watching, one could feel each character just by looking at their eyes and expressions. Even if they wouldn’t have given the dialogues it would have still connected to the viewers. Especially in emotional and romantic scenes, the director has conveyed much more than the words could define through his characters.

11. Guts

Having said that, the director and producers have the real guts to show how foreign agency funds to nurture the enemy within us and how the urban Naxals are created. Though it is part of the story, one may argue it has to be shown but we deal with an inferiority complex, and showing international agencies in question, we generally shy away. Here, I am glad the producers and directors have the strength to make sure it is shown as it has to be.

12. Future

The introductory short clips made much sense in connecting the viewers to the history, it made it look more real and connected. Awaiting for many seasons to come, not only focusing on the space program but backstories of three main characters (Sh. Homi Bhabha, Sh. Vikram Sarabhai, and Sh. APJ Kalam) and maybe leading to personalities like CV Raman and more. India needs to know its heroes and that too very very closely! Art like this helps in motivating the generations. India needs more Rocket Boys in every field.