We Bought a Zoo

Good afternoon and welcome to the

Phase Il Press Conference of the

upcoming mission for the

Global Precipitation Measurement.

To discuss the mission we have

with us John Stockton

GPM Project Formulation Manager

from NASA HQ.

Mohan Bhargava...

Project Manager and Spacecraft

Mission Director from GODDARD.

Over to you John.

- Thank you George.

The Office of Management and Budget

released the President's 2004

Fiscal year budget plan in early February

flagging off the GPM Launch.

We have in the Formulation phase

of GPM taken steps to reduce risks

to ensure a mission

confirmation review.

That's where Mohan Bhargava,

our Project Manager comes in.

Thank you John.

Good afternoon everybody.

Before I come to Phase Il, a quick update

on the recently concluded Phase I.

In Phase I we focused on the

Definition of Mission Scope,

Systematic Measurement Approach

and Technology Roadmaps.

Will you roll the tape please?

Thank you.

The core satellite is designed

like a TRMM Spacecraft.

It'll be launched in non-sun-sync

orbit at an inclination of 65-degrees

and an altitude of 400 kms.

The constellation satellites would be

pre-existing operational, experimental &

Dedicated satellites,

with PMW radiometers.

They would operate both in

non-sun-synch and synch orbits

at an altitude of 600-900 kms.

You are welcome to

throw any questions.

What are the objectives of the Global

Precipitation Measurement programme?

Last question.

- Is this budget justified?

Globally, there is a danger of

water recession in the near future.

It will not be unreal to imagine that

in the 21st century, cities like

Beijing, Amman, New Delhi, Santiago,

Jakarta, Mexico City, Lima

and many others, will drink up, use up

their surrounding waters and perish.

Water is going to be rare. Is it not a

reason enough to justify any budget?

Are there any more questions?

Thank you for being here.

- Thank you very much.

I've never seen John Stockton

smile so much.

He is really very happy with us.

The press conference went off well.

And your presentation excellent!

This is a quantum leap for us.

Well, we can now let our hair down

now that Phase I is finally over.

Hey, you've been very quiet.

What's the matter?

I want to get a cup of coffee.

Would you like some?

Make me a strong one.

- Sure

Two new messages,

Hi Mohan. This is Paul tried

calling you at work and your cell

you seem to be in a meeting,

call me back.

Good afternoon Mr. Bhargava, this is

Steven Carter from the BCIS...

...your request for citizenship has been

accepted. Please call me on Monday. Bye.

Congratulations! Your request for

citizenship has been accepted.

You seem lost.

- Not really.

I get it. Work pressures are

stressing you out

and then you have no other interests...

No pubbing, no partying!

Take my advice,

you should get married!

You need a life partner.

Like they say - Happiness

only doubles when it is shared!

It changed My life!

No Vinod, that's not it.

Then what is it?

What's the matter?

Today is the death anniversary

of my parents.

Oh! I'm sorry.

No, It's okay.

I still vividly remember that I was in my

last year of University in Pennsylvania

...when I received the news

of their car accident!

Now I understand why

you've been so low all day.

You know Vinod...

There's something else,

which has been

pricking my conscience

these last few months.

Do you remember Kaveriamma?

Kaveriamma? Your old

maid servant, right?

Please don't call her a maidservant.

She was like a mother to me!

I'm sorry. I had no idea.

What about her?

As you know,

l was the only child.

My parents brought me up with a lot of

love, they provided me with everything.

But along with them, Kaveriamma too

had a special place in my life.

My mother would

make my breakfast,

while Kaveriamma would feed me.

My parents tucked me into bed,

while Kaveriamma sang me a lullaby.

From the age of two to seventeen

she looked after me completely.

You could say Kaveriamma was

like a second mother to me

So when was the last time

you met her?

At my parent's funeral.

I remember crying like a child

in Kaveriamma's arms.

It was a very tough time for me.

Then I came back here and

began to find a footing in life.

Kaveriamma would often write me letters,

and I would send her replies as well.

But later, I got so completely immersed in

my work, that I just lost touch.

All this is so out of the blue Mohan.

Why did you suddenly

think of her today?

It's not sudden, Vinod.

I've been thinking about her

since the past few months.

I've been having recurring

nightmares of her being...

...old, feeble, and helpless.

Vinod, I have blundered.

I now feel very guilty

that I have neglected her...

...and haven't been able to

look after her.

I had become selfish Vinod.

She is the only thread who can

string the memories of my parents.

I was thinking of going to Delhi...

and bringing her here.

Absolutely! Brilliant idea!

But I don't think John will consent.

There can't be a better time for you

to ask for a vacation than now,

We are 28 weeks away from

the GPM launch. John won't refuse.

You think so?

- Yeah sure.

Promise to bring him back an

elephant or something.

Yeah sure!

Thank you very much.

So its on the outmost importance

to get the time pressure on the

stabilization unit.

Thank you very much gentlemen.

Excuse me John.

- Sure, tell me.

I have a request for two weeks off.

Need to go to India, is it possible?

Is everything ok back home?

Oh yeah everything is all right.

Just a pending matter.

When do you have to leave?

Actually as soon as possible.

You realize you have to delegate

some of this to others.

Oh yes yes I'll have a detailed

meeting with the team and

I'll be in constant touch

with Vinod from here.

Alright then, have a good trip.

Thank you very much John.

Amazing... John agreed very quickly.

I should have asked for a vacation myself.

Thank God you didn't. If you had,

he would have cancelled mine too.

May I clear your tray please?

Can I get you anything else?

No thank you.

This is your Captain here.

Good morning everyone.

We have now started our descent

And in a short time we'll be landing

at the Indira Gandhi

lnternational Airport in Delhi.

Hope you had a comfortable flight

Thank you for flying Air India.

Your attention please.

Announcing the arrival of flight

Al-112 from New York

Good to see you.

- Good to see you too.

How was the flight?

- Connecting flight was delayed. Rest ok!

Did you get anything for me?

- Yeah, everything's for you, kid!

So Kaveriamma... is she still living

in an Old age Home?

Did you speak with her?

No, I want to surprise her!

She'll be so glad to see you.

I'm sure she'll have forgotten me.

Obviously!

Excuse me.

- Yes? May I help you?

I've come to meet Kaveriamma.

Kaveriamma?

- Yes.

Kaveri oh yes! She doesn't

live with us any longer.

Doesn't live here?

- She stayed with us for about a year...

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