PUNE: It wasn’t an easy task, but the hard struggle to achieve the most ambitious mission of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was commendable.
Chandrayaan-2 may have not achieved the targeted goal but it has definitely won hearts and inspired millions of our countrymen.
The social media platforms were flooded with #ProudofISRO messages, where citizens along with celebrities and prominent political figures expressed their support to the Indian Space Research Organisation scientists and saluted the team.
#IndiawithISRO #Chandrayaan2 #vikramlander were also trending on Twitter.
Many stated that the journey was important and not the destination, while a few agreed and appreciated that Indian Space Research Organisation brought several families together at one time in front of the television channels.
Dr Malavika Iyer, a national awardee and motivational speaker, tweeted lines of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam in support to ISRO, “We should not give up and we should not allow the problem to defeat us. Look at the sky. We are not alone. The whole universe is friendly to us and conspires only to give the best to those who dream and work.”
The Mission Mangal actor, Akshay Kumar, also tweeted, “There’s no science without experiment...sometimes we succeed, sometimes we learn. Salute to the brilliant minds of @isro, we are proud and confident #Chandrayaan2 will make way for #Chandrayaan3 soon. We will rise again.”
Chairman of Mahindra Group Anand Mahindra wrote in his tweet, “The communication isn’t lost. Every single person in India can feel the heartbeat of #chandrayaan2 We can hear it whisper to us that. If at first, you don’t succeed, try, try again.”
Meanwhile, space enthusiasts from Pune also applauded the mission. Nischay Mhatre, who was part of the Swayam team of College of Engineering, Pune (CoEP) said, “The ISRO has faced several challenges to compete with the superpowers. They built the upgraded technologies before this mission as no one was ready to share their technology. It is amazing how they have overcome all the difficulties and reached this position.”
“No country has so far achieved a soft-landing on the moon and we as a developing country have attempted to do so,” said Mhatre who is currently working as an engineering consultant at Pune-based firm.
Rohit Patil, a fourth year student of bachelor in engineering at CoEP said, “Chandrayaan-2 was truly inspiring for us. While working on our satellite, we often discussed about its developments and how the scientists must have made the technology. Definitely, this has boosted science education in the country. Also, as we progress in the space world, I feel basic space education should be introduced in school and college level. I believe this will inspire many students to learn more about space and satellites.” Patil and his group is currently working on Satellite Mission-2.
Students watch event live with PM
“The way Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi supported the scientists there and encouraged students to work without thinking of the success, has inspired me a lot,” said Siddhi Pawar, a student from Baramati who had witnessed the event live along with PM and other students at ISRO.
ISRO had selected 75 students from across the country through a quiz competition to show them the live landing of Vikram lander on the moon.
“This was a huge ambition of the organisation and to achieve it, the team made all possible efforts. It is important to work looking at the target without fearing about failure,” she said.