Bengaluru: Morale boosting messages poured in from various quarters for ISRO as several leaders asked the space agency not to get disheartened after Chandrayaan-2’s Vikram lander lost contact with ground stations minutes before its planned touchdown on the lunar surface.
Expressing solidarity with the scientific community, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “India is proud of our scientists,” and asked them to be “courageous.”
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman too extended her support to the ISRO scientists. She tweeted, “We are with you ISRO. You have brought the nation, its young minds and all, together in sensing your achievements in Space. You will succeed.”
Union Minister for Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan urged the scientists not to give up and that success was failure turned inside out. “The silver tint of the clouds of doubt You never can tell how close you are It may be near when it seems so far. You have done your best for Chandrayaan-2!” he tweeted. He was optimistic that the ISRO scientists would accomplish the mission in the future.
In a tweet, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said ISRO’s achievement with getting Chandrayaan-2 so far has made every Indian proud and added that the country stood with the committed and hard working scientists of ISRO. “My best wishes for future endeavours,” he said.
While congratulating ISRO, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said their work was not in vain. “It (Chandrayaan-2) has laid the foundation for many more path breaking and ambitious Indian space missions,” Gandhi said. The Congress party too extended its support to the ISRO.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said there was no need for ISRO to lose heart. “Our scientists have done a great job,” he tweeted.
Support from TN
DMK president M K Stalin tweeted ,”Thank you Team @isro for inspiring a billion people to look towards outer space and place our faith in the power of science and technology.” “We are proud of our scientists for taking us farther than before,” he said.
PMK founder Dr S Ramadoss patted the ISRO scientists and said the present setback after ISRO lost touch with Chandrayaan-2 lander Vikram, minutes before it was to land near the south pole of the Moon, as temporary.
“There is no space agency in the world which has not faced setbacks. Chandrayaan-2’s effort is brilliant. ISRO scientists should be appreciated,” he added. “The Nation will stand by the scientists in reaching the moon,” Ramadoss said.
Makkal Needhi Maiam president Kamal Haasan said, “This does not tantamount to failure. In Research and Development there will be a learning curve. This, is that precious learning moment. We will soon be on the Moon, Thanks to #ISRO. The Nation believes and applauds ISRO.”