Rocket Boys Inspired My Kids To Reopen Their History Books

You know the current buzzword in India ‘atmanirbharta’? Well! This was actually coined decades ago when we just got our independence. We wanted to become self-sufficient & self-reliant and break free from outside influences. Much like today the feeling of ‘make it India’ was strong even then and we have come a long way since.

India was struggling to gain independence and prove that it can be at par with the world in all spheres.

The new series on SonyLIV Rocket Boys chronicles the journey of two extraordinary Indian physicists—Dr Homi Jehangir Bhabha (Jim Sarbh) and Dr Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai (Ishwak Singh)—who created history while building India’s future.

We watched this with the kids over the last few days and I have to say the kids were super impressed. They did not know about Homi Bhabha or Vikram Sarabhai – the ‘mad scientists’ but they did get excited when they saw a young APJ Abdul Kalam. That’s a name they are familiar with. The whole series has been an eye-opener for them with the rockets, the nuclear bomb conversations and all the espionage involved.

For kids who don’t know who were the pioneers of the Indian Space Programme or the great minds behind India’s Nuclear Programme, here’s what they (and I ) learnt when we watched the show.

The Story Of Perseverance

Vikram Sarabhai is shown as a young man who is brilliant but has to deal with his share of ups and downs even though he is working with the best minds in the country.

The ‘I am not ready to give up’ attitude is what I want my kids to learn.

Faced with a little opposition, everyone likes to take the easier route. But if you believe in something then you need to push on and that’s what comes through in Bhabha & Sarabhai’s endeavours.

There is always a solution you just need to figure it out!

Pride For The Country

Rocket Boys — set across three decades, the ‘40s, ‘50s, and ‘60s pre-and post-Independence India showcases the hopes, needs, aspirations, and demands of a brave new India. The black and white real footage interspersed with the movie gives us glimpses into the excitement and sense of pride that must have been a part of every Indian when the nuclear reactor worked & the first rocket was launched from a quiet village beach. The show has shown how these two men have been instrumental in shaping India.

The kids know so much of what is happening in their gadget-ridden world today but the past is what has brought our country to where it is and we should be aware of the people behind pushing our country into the new age. The launch of the rocket that day was a matter of national pride and I wanted the kids to connect to that feeling.

Stand Up For What You Believe In

Home Bhabha kept pushing Jawaharlal Nehru to build the atom bomb because he felt it was the need of the hour. And after opposing it for so long so did Vikram Sarabhai. I believe, your convictions are what will carry you through life. I want my kids to learn to stand by what they think and not cow under pressure or obstacles.