RECENTLY, Rentakini met up with Vanajah Sivasubramaniam. Who's that? You may ask.

This is the gutsy lady - in fact the only lady - who very nearly became our first astronaut, only to find herself being left out in the space race.

In case you had been away, Vanajah was one of the last four standing candidates among thousands of Malaysians of all walks of life who had participated in the astronaut hunt.

The physics-trained quality engineer stood on an even level as the other three but as fate would have it, she was eventually nudged out by medical officer Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor.

Another fellow finalist, army dental surgeon Kapt Dr Faiz Khaleed is the first stand-by candidate.

Obviously our first question was if this Kulim-born 35-year-old resident of Klang had gotten over the pain and disappointment of failing in the last hurdle.

Thinking hard and long before answering the question, Vanajah said that participating in the programme was the best thing to have happened to her.

But then we noticed a tinge of sadness in her face, and a burden of disappointment in her body language.

"All that I can say is that I am very disappointed. It is something very difficult to overcome," she said at first.

And this was soon followed by a very PR response from Vanajah, who is to start work as a research officer with the National Space Agency in two weeks time.

"All four of us are qualified. We were treated equally. Everything was very fair. I enjoyed my role as a role-model to all the youngsters and school children. Going to space is very important to our nation. It doesn't matter who gets to be there first. We are not in it for the fame and glory," she said.

And it was something which she automatically said in the course of our three- hour session with her. Another was,: "You can't ask me that."

So we censored all the 'sensitive' stuff and concentrated on some lighter stuff which she enjoyed talking about:

Rentakini: Your favourite food?

Vanajah: (At this point her friend who had tagged along said: "She doesn't eat at all".) That's not true. I do eat. I like tuna sandwiches, pastries. I eat rice only when cooked by my mum.

If you had gone to space, name one personal item that you would have taken along?

My family photo. They have been very supportive. My biggest fan is my dad. When I was not chosen, he was very disappointed, but he was more worried for me.

Dr Mahathir or Abdullah Ahmad Badawi?

Oh my god! I can't answer that.

Do we need such an expensive space programme ?

Going to space is very important to our nation. It doesn't matter who gets to be there first. We are not in it for the fame and glory.

What did the PM tell you when you met him?

Nothing much. I just met him in a group. He spoke generally about how proud he was. But I have met Tun Mahathir a few times. He took keen interest in how we were coping. His aura was amazing.

Your favourite Russian word?

The four of us were in Russia for one month in May and then we went back again for three days in August to find out our final results. In my time there, one word stood out for me - zrvrasvitive - which means hello.

Did you really think you had a chance of going to space?

All four of us are qualified. We were treated equally. Everything was very fair.

The last English movie you watched?

I am a movie buff. My last movie was Miami Vice and a couple of Tamil movies. I am eagerly waiting for Casino Royale.

So what do you think of Daniel Craig, the new James Bond ?

He is HOT! But my all time favourite is Pierce Brosnan.

Most disappointing moment in your life?

Do you have to ask?

Are you a local celebrity now?

Not at all. People in Klang, where I live now, just let me go by peacefully. But in my hometown, I have had some moments.

Were you the better candidate?

You can't ask me that...I can't answer that...All four of us are qualified. We were treated equally. Everything was very fair.

Where are you docking next?

First with National Space Agency as a research officer. I also want to pursue my studies and am working towards that.

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K KABILAN is a member of the Malaysiakini team. Feedback can reach Rentakini at [email protected]