more ref |
additional ref |
||
| Line 15: | Line 15: | ||
== Early & Family life == |
== Early & Family life == |
||
Santhosh George Kulangara was born on [[December 25]], [[1971]] in [[Marangattupilly]] village, [[Kottayam]] District, [[Kerala]], [[India]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http:// |
Santhosh George Kulangara was born on [[December 25]], [[1971]] in [[Marangattupilly]] village, [[Kottayam]] District, [[Kerala]], [[India]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/story/25741.html |title=Kottayam publisher all set for space odyssey |publisher=The Indian Express}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/storypage/storypage.aspx?id=735fe9c3-5045-4aa1-a053-2bca1204e984&&Headline=India%e2%80%99s+first+space+tourist+ready+to+fly |title=India’s first space tourist ready to fly |publisher=Hindustan Times}}</ref> |
||
. He is a post [[graduate]] and trained [[cinematographer]]. He is married to Soncy and father of two children – Sarika and George. His father Mr. V.J. George Kulangara (retired High School teacher and founder of [[Labour India]] groups) and mother Rosamma George (also a teacher). |
|||
== Spaceflight == |
== Spaceflight == |
||
Revision as of 10:31, 3 December 2007
Santhosh George Kulangara | |
|---|---|
 First Indian Space Tourist | |
| Born | Error: Need valid birth date: year, month, day |
| Occupation(s) | Managing Director, Labour India Groups of companies |
| Known for | First space tourist from India, Producer and Director of Sancharam and Cinematographer |
Santhosh George Kulangara, is the first space tourist from India, as he got a confirmed seat on Global space tour operator Virgin Galactic’s Spaceship tour program for 2008. Therefore, he is expected to grab the rare honor of being the First space tourist from India. [1] [2] [3]
Early & Family life
Santhosh George Kulangara was born on December 25, 1971 in Marangattupilly village, Kottayam District, Kerala, India[4] [5] . He is a post graduate and trained cinematographer. He is married to Soncy and father of two children – Sarika and George. His father Mr. V.J. George Kulangara (retired High School teacher and founder of Labour India groups) and mother Rosamma George (also a teacher).
Spaceflight
He has become the first resident Indian to buy a US$ 2,00,000 as he has been short-listed along with 37 others for a sub-orbital ride with British entrepreneur Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic spaceliner.[6] The space flight is being designed to last two and a half hours in space, during which the spaceship will detach from themother ship at 50,000 ft, the cruising altitude of Concorde. For this purpose, he successfully completed medical test and four days of training including Zero gravity at Kennedy Space Centre in Florida.[7] [8] A specially designed aircraft was used for the training program.[9]
Business career
He is also a business man ventured into the arena of education, tourism and Information Technology. He is the owner and Managing Director of Labour India groups of companies, co-founder of Labour India Gurukulam Public School, International Gurukulam School in Wagamon. He is the Chairman and Managing Director of Supplement Communications (P) Ltd, an evening newspaper being published with breaking news and Labour India Software Laboratories etc. At present he is also very much interested in the preservation of Kerala's heritage and promoting it to the foreigners. For this purpose, he has built a Heritage Resort at Vaikom named 'Kerala Palace'.[10]
Contributions
He is also a notable traveler as he visited 55 countries in short span and his travelogue in various visits is being telecast known as 'Sancharam' in Asianet news channel every sunday at prime time 10:30 in the morning. This popular travelogue is about to be shoot in Space as the Virgin Galactic officials have agreed him to shoot the whole journey.[11] He is the producer of television programs `Samayam’ (time), Acharya’ (a documentary about Wagamon), directed the documentary film `Krishnagatha’ and TV serials like `Maluvinte Lokam’, `Chithirapurathe Visheshangal’, `Kerala Vishesham’, etc. all made for Doordarshan, Thiruvananthapuram..[12]
Published Books
He published two books on his travels and another two more in the processing stage. The published books are ‘Oru Rabbiyude Chumbanangal’ (a rabbi’s kissing) which is his extensive journey on buses and ships through in the Eastern Europe. ‘Nataashayude Varna Baloonukal’ (Natasha’s colorful balloons) is about interesting sights and memorable experiences in each country he visited. These books also has the jests, pains and wonders he experienced during the journey. His books are very simple and easy to catch even children. These books are presently available in Malayalam language. His book Natashayude varna baloonukal draws a clear picture about his European journey. He says about the history, landscape and all important things about each places he visited in a few words. It makes us the feeling that we too accompanying him in journey. The cast of characters Tour guide Thamaara, Driver Andhrey, rough John, "chocolate boy" harry, Ann grandma, old honey moon trippers, Australian teacher etc. are becoming our friends through his authorings.[13] [14]
Honors and awards
He is also the proud winner of the prestigious Kamal Patra Award for the Young Businessman for the year 2002 and also bagged several awards including Yuva Prathiba Award (2004), All India RAPA Award (2003) and vivekananda award for his prestigious contributions to the Tourism and education sector.[15] [16] [17]
He has got invitation by (former) President of India Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam who was his 'teacher' during the time he spent with him in Rashtrapati Bhavan where he got some vital tips by president, before on board to space. Santhosh George was advised by President to make the programme in such a way that it would be 'informative' for the children.[18] [19]
References
- ^ "India's 1st space tourist". CNN.
- ^ "Santosh George to become first Indian space tourist". The Hindu, Online edtion.
- ^ "India's first space tourist ready to fly". Hindustan Times.
- ^ "Kottayam publisher all set for space odyssey". The Indian Express.
- ^ "India's first space tourist ready to fly". Hindustan Times.
- ^ "And now, Indian". The Statesman.
- ^ "Zero gravity training for country's first space tourist". Deccan Herald.
- ^ "India's first space tourist leaves for zero gravity flight". MSN India.
- ^ "Santosh George Kulangara: First Indian Space Tourist". Techwhack news.
- ^ "Santosh George, the 1st Indian space tourist". OneIndia News.
- ^ "Sancharam to space". FineTuning the World.
- ^ "Thus did I become a world traveller". Self.
- ^ "Labour India, products". Labour India Publications Ltd.
- ^ "Indian for space tour-Keralite books seat on Virgin Galactic voyage". The Telegraph.
- ^ "Vivekananda Awards presented". The New Indian Express.
- ^ "Awards". Self.
- ^ "Selected for award". The Hindu, Online edtion.
- ^ "India's would-be space tourist gets tips from Kalam". Fresh News.
- ^ "Space tourist gets tips from president". World News.