‘Nation Is Proud Of You, Be Courageous’: PM Modi To Crestfallen ISRO Scientists

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday told ISRO scientists not to lose confidence after communication with the Vikram lander was lost while it was descending to the moon's South Pole.

“There are ups and downs in life. This is not a small achievement. The nation in proud of you. Hope for the best. I congratulate you. You all have done a big service to nation, science and mankind. I am with you all the way, move forward bravely,” said PM Modi.

#WATCH PM Narendra Modi at ISRO: There are ups and downs in life. This is not a small achievement. The nation is proud of you. Hope for the best. I congratulate you. You all have done a big service to nation, science and mankind. I am with you all the way, move forward bravely. pic.twitter.com/Iig1a8EuKD

— ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2019

Interacting with crestfallen scientists at ISRO’s control room, the Prime Minister said, "Whatever you have done till now is no mean feat."

“India is proud of our scientists! They’ve given their best and have always made India proud. These are moments to be courageous, and courageous we will be! Chairman @isro gave updates on Chandrayaan-2. We remain hopeful and will continue working hard on our space programme,” he tweeted.

He also interacted with the students present there to witnesss the landing and patiently answered their questions.

Bengaluru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the students from across the country, who were selected through ISRO's 'Space Quiz' competition to watch the landing of #VikramLander along with PM. pic.twitter.com/wLaPovy8tK

— ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2019

These kids were selected through ISRO's 'Space Quiz' competition to watch the landing  of Vikram Lander along with the PM.

Earlier, the powered descent of the lander began at around 1.38 am. Scientists at ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) were glued to their terminals, anticipating the soft landing.

They clapped and cheered as the moon lander completed the rough braking phase before the fine braking phase started. It was then that the scientists started becoming tense and went into a huddle.

ISRO Chairman K Sivan was seen engaged in intense discussions with some scientists.

Soon he announced that the Vikram lander descent was as planned and normal  performance observed upto altitude of 2.1 km.

Subsequently communications from lander to ground station was lost, he said, adding the data was being analysed.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Whatever you have done till now is no mean feat: PM Modi tell scientists.
• PM also interacted with the students present there to witnesss the landing 
• PM Modi also patiently answered questions of children.