Support and words of encouragement for the scientists of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) poured in on Saturday as they lauded its efforts behind Chandrayaan-2.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi said the ISRO had placed India among the world space powers and had inspired generations.
“We owe a great debt to ISRO and the brilliant men and women who staff it. Their hard work and dedication has earned India a place in the league of space-faring nations and have inspired generations to reach for the stars,” she said in a statement. “No success is final and every obstacle is a stepping stone to future success. Chandrayaan-2 has laid the foundation for achieving greater feats and the entire country awaits in anticipation for traversing the next frontier of space.”
‘Never lose’
While Defence Minister Rajnath Singh quoted a line from a Hindi poem that said “those who try never lose”, Home Minister Amit Shah said the ISRO’s achievement in getting Chandrayaan-2 so far had made every Indian proud.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi praised the scientists for their “incredible work”, and wished for more path-breaking discoveries.
“Your passion & dedication is an inspiration to every Indian. Your work is not in vain. It has laid the foundation for many more path breaking & ambitious Indian space missions,” Mr. Gandhi tweeted.
Sitaram Yechury, general secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), expressed confidence that the next steps would be “more satisfying”.
