Two countdowns and both hold key to the future.

The Countdown for the launch of Chandrayaan-1, India's first unmanned moon mission would have started by the time you read this. This is going to be a major turning point in the series of India's successful space triumphs. On Friday, Chandrayaan-1 was already transported from the Vehicle Assembly Building to the launch pad at Sriharikota. The launch is scheduled for Wednesday and the formal 52-hour countdown would have begun now. The launch has been scheduled Wednesday at 0620 hrs.

About 42 tonnes of propellant would be filled during the countdown period. The spacecraft carrying 11 payloads (scientific instruments) would weigh about 1,380 kg at the time of its launch.

The greatest task in this effort will be to make Chandrayaan-1 escape from orbiting the earth and to travel towards the moon. That is going to be literally a breakthrough! All the best, ISRO. You have asked for the moon and you shall get it.

The next countdown, no less significant is scheduled to terminate on October 28. You have guessed it right. That is the deadline set by the 'All Party' meeting for the resignation of the Members of Parliament, in case the Government of India fails to persuade the Sri Lankan Government to announce a ceasefire. The entire state of Tamil Nadu is surcharged with emotions running high on the plight of the Sri Lankan Tamils. A large number of artistes and directors of the Tamil film industry staged a protest in Rameswaram yesterday against the killing of innocent Tamils in Sri Lanka. A human chain is being held in Chennai tomorrow by the DMK and its allies to convey to the world that we in Tamil Nadu are shedding tears for the Sri Lankan Tamils. It will also urge the Indian government to take steps to put an end to the atrocities against the Sri Lankan Tamils. Incidentally the PMK will also participate in the human chain.

All the DMK members of Parliament including Dayanidhi Maran have handed over their letters of resignation to the DMK Chief. Let's hope the Indian Government would be able to make some headway in the next eight days.