A war of words has erupted between the Congress party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over India’s successful lunar mission, Chandrayaan-3. Congress leader K C Venugopal accused PM Modi of seizing the limelight and taking undue credit for the ambitious mission’s success, without acknowledging the efforts of the dedicated scientists who made it possible.
In a critical tweet on X (formerly Twitter), Venugopal stated, “ISRO Chairman Dr. Somanath’s leadership truly created history and we extend our hearty congratulations to him and his team. However, the PM must answer some for his hypocrisy.” Venugopal questioned the Prime Minister’s quickness to take credit for the achievement while neglecting his government’s support for the scientific community.
Directing his criticism towards PM Modi, Venugopal emphasized, “You were quick to come on screen and take credit after the landing, but why has your government failed so terribly in supporting the scientists and the ISRO.” He further highlighted the plight of Heavy Engineering Corporation (HEC) engineers who have not received their salaries for the past 17 months.
The Congress leader raised concerns about the reduction in budget allocation for crucial missions, questioning the 32% budget cut. He characterized the engineers and scientists involved in India’s world-class space research program as the nation’s heroes and lamented the lack of recognition for their talent and dedication. He criticized PM Modi for claiming the limelight during a moment that should have celebrated the scientists’ achievements.
Speaking to ANI, Venugopal emphasized, “The engineers are not getting salaries and the budget has also been cut down.” The Congress veteran Sonia Gandhi also expressed her pride in the Chandrayaan 3 achievement by writing a letter to ISRO chief S Somanath, hailing it as a ‘magnificent achievement’ and a matter of immense pride for all Indians.
Chandrayaan-3’s successful landing on the moon’s south pole marked a historic achievement for India, propelling the country into a select group of nations including the United States, China, and Russia. ISRO celebrated the momentous occasion with a message of congratulations to the nation, echoing the spacecraft’s statement, “India, I reached my destination and you too!” The mission was launched on July 14, 2023, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota Range, Andhra Pradesh.
As the nation celebrates this milestone in space exploration, the debate between political factions underscores the importance of acknowledging the contributions of scientists and engineers who make such achievements possible. The dispute also highlights the critical role of government support in fostering scientific advancement and technological innovation.
Sources By Agencies
