Kumaraswamy blames PM Modi for bringing 'bad luck' to Chandrayaan-2
What's the story
Former Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy stoked controversy on Thursday by blaming Prime Minister Modi for bringing "bad luck" to the scientists of Indian Space Research Organization. Kumaraswamy commented that once PM Modi set foot at ISRO center it "proved to be bad omen". On September 6, PM Modi visited the center in Bengaluru to witness the soft landing of Vikram Lander.
What he said
Modi wanted to take all credit: Kumaraswamy
Kumaraswamy expressed that PM Modi went to ISRO center just to get credit for the historic moon mission. The JD(S) leader pointed out that it was the combined effort of the UPA government and scientists back in 2009 that started the Chandrayaan-2 project. Kumaraswamy also took a potshot at his successor BS Yediyurappa saying he is "helpless" before Centre on all fronts.
Landing
What happened to Vikram Lander?
For the uninitiated, in the wee hours of September 7, minutes before landing on the moon, Vikram lost contact with ISRO. ISRO chief K Sivan later briefed the press that Vikram was just 2.1 kilometers away from the moon when it lost contact. A successful landing would have made India the fourth nation to land on the moon after United States, Russia, and China.
Bouncing back
The setback, notwithstanding, PM Modi supported scientists
Interestingly, PM Modi showed great leadership qualities when he praised the scientists, despite the setback. He asked the scientists to not lose hope and keep on doing their work. He said, "Resilience and tenacity are central to India's ethos." He also said that India has faced setbacks on several occasions but was successful in bouncing back every single time.
Do you know?
To recall, Modi hugged Sivan and won everyone's hearts
In a heart-warming gesture, PM Modi hugged a visibly distressed Sivan outside the ISRO ground station after his speech. Following this, messages came from across the country that the nation is proud of Sivan and his amazing team.
Twitter Post
You can watch the video here
#WATCH PM Narendra Modi hugged and consoled ISRO Chief K Sivan after he(Sivan) broke down. #Chandrayaan2 pic.twitter.com/R1d0C4LjAh
— ANI (@ANI) September 7, 2019
Current status
Meanwhile, NASA and ISRO joined hands to contact Vikram
ISRO is consistently trying to re-establish contact with Vikram and has already located it on the lunar surface. Even NASA has now joined hands with ISRO in order to make contact with the lost spacecraft. With every passing day, the possibility of contacting Vikram fades as the lunar probe has a life span of only 14 days. Only a week is left now!