First Step

First Step

1989 7 July 11 First Step (199) Neil Armstrong, the American astronaut, was the first to land on the moon. It was in July 1969, that he first set foot on the lunar surface. During the whole journey on Eagle, the communication links remained intact between the Earth and Moon. After landing, his first words were: “That’s one small step for a man, but a giant leap for mankind.”

He meant that his inter-planetary voyage was not just an individual achievement but the beginning of a new era. This landing on the moon – a marvel of science – would lead to a time when people would travel from one planet to another.

All extraordinary achievements run a similar course. The initial spade work is difficult and if an individual or a group makes an important discovery, it is through great personal sacrifices. It is little short of moving mountains. Later, when the path opens up, it is easy to forge ahead.

When a farmer sows, it is one “small step” towards harvest. With this small step, however, the farmer’s journey begins. It continues till the crop is ripe and ready to be harvested. This is the right way for human beings, be it agriculture or space travel.