Punjabi girl shortlisted for ‘Mars One’ mission

Rachna Khaira

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, February 23

Dubai-based Indian girl Ritika Singh (29) has made it to top 100 under the much-hyped “Mars One” mission launched by a Netherlands-based NGO last year to start human civilization on the Red Planet by 2024.

Her family resides in Jalandhar. Her father Narinder Singh is the Deputy Director General, Jalandhar Doordarshan. The adrenaline junkie has been chosen along with other two Indians from among two lakh applicants who participated in the online contest from across the world.

Sharing her happiness on her Facebook page, Ritika said she always had the urge to explore the unexplored. “I am in love with this world, but who knows Mars could be even better!” she said in an interview with a Dubai-based newspaper.

Her parents could not be contacted for comments as they have left for Dubai to meet their daughter.

Pankaj Chopra, a family friend, said she flew down to Jalandhar recently to break the news to her parents recently. “They were completely shocked and left speechless. However, they are now excited and extremely thrilled over the new found status of their daughter,” said Chopra.

Mars One hopes to start a colony on the Red Planet to aid the understanding of the origins of the solar system and the possibility of life on other planets.