ISRO on Monday launched its second successful mission to the Moon, the Chandrayaan-2. As the spacecraft with the orbiter and the rover ascended on its journey to unravel the secrets of our celestial neighbour, words of praise and appreciation flew in from around the world for the efforts of Indian scientists at the Indian Space Research Organization.
President Ram Nath Kovind has congratulated ISRO for the successful launch, “The historic launch of #Chandrayaan2 from Sriharikota is a proud moment for all Indians. Congratulations to our scientists and engineers for furthering India’s indigenous space programme. May @ISRO continue to master new technologies, and continue to conquer new frontiers”
The historic launch of #Chandrayaan2 from Sriharikota is a proud moment for all Indians. Congratulations to our scientists and engineers for furthering India's indigenous space programme. May @ISRO continue to master new technologies, and continue to conquer new frontiers
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) July 22, 2019
PM Modi also witnessed the launch of the scientific marvel.
Launch of #Chandrayaan2 illustrates the prowess of country's scientists and determination of 130 crore Indians🇮🇳 to scale new frontiers of science, says PM Modi.#ISROMissions | #ISRO pic.twitter.com/kmJVXPnQF9
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) July 22, 2019
He also lauded the efforts of ISRO and also outlined the importance of such advances. He tweeted “Efforts such as #Chandrayaan2 will further encourage our bright youngsters towards science, top quality research and innovation. Thanks to Chandrayaan, India’s Lunar Programme will get a substantial boost. Our existing knowledge of the Moon will be significantly enhanced.”
Efforts such as #Chandrayaan2 will further encourage our bright youngsters towards science, top quality research and innovation.
Thanks to Chandrayaan, India’s Lunar Programme will get a substantial boost. Our existing knowledge of the Moon will be significantly enhanced.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 22, 2019
Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar also congratulated the scientists for the successful launch of Chandrayaan-2 and tweeted,”#ISRO has yet again accomplished a mammoth feat. Salute to the team who have spent countless days ensuring the success of #Chandrayaan2 @isro”
#ISRO has yet again accomplished a mammoth feat. Salute to the team who have spent countless days ensuring the success of #Chandrayaan2 @isro
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) July 22, 2019
While the nation was busy celebrating this scientific leap, Congress was fast to come in and claim credit for India’s successful mission to the moon and along with a line of appreciation for ISRO tweeted, “This is a good time to remember the visionary move of India’s first PM Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to fund space research through INCOSPAR in1962 which later became ISRO. And also Dr. Manmohan Singh for sanctioning the #Chandrayan2 project in 2008.”
This is a good time to remember the visionary move of India's first PM Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to fund space research through INCOSPAR in1962 which later became ISRO. And also Dr. Manmohan Singh for sanctioning the #Chandrayan2 project in 2008. pic.twitter.com/2Tje349pa0
— Congress (@INCIndia) July 22, 2019
However this shameful attempt to claim credit for the scientific success did not go down well with users on social media and they started trolling Congress over its tweet.
Nehru: Ek Building banao
Uska naam @isro rakho
Indira & Nehru: Ek aur Building banao
Uska naam @DRDO_India rakhoAssistant: Sir iss building me hoga kya?
Nehru: Abe *hutiye hoga kuch nahi
Par jab Modi future me kuch bhi karega to humare Pidis Credit mujhe denge!Visionary 😂😂
— RiseOfBurnol🇮🇳 (@RiseofBurnol) July 22, 2019
This is a good time to remember the condition of ISRO vs Condition of Gandhi family pic.twitter.com/naNveUOkSs
— Shash (@pokershash) July 22, 2019
https://twitter.com/AapGhumaKeLeLo_/status/1153239736405749761
*Quick facts*
Chandrayan was sanctioned by Atal Bihar Vajapayee in 2000.
Manmohan Singh signed deal with Russia to work together on Chandrayan 2
Today Chandrayan 2 was launched without any help from Russia, the mission changed a lot after Manmohan Singh
— Manpinder Singh (@Manpunstar) July 22, 2019
However, this is not the first time Congress has come forward to claim credit for the achievements of scientific and other communities in India. Earlier Congress was also called out when it had claimed credit for India’s anti-satellite weapon, which was successfully launched earlier this year dubbed as “Mission Shakti”. Then Finance Minister Arun Jaitley hit back at Congress and said, “Those who are patting their backs today should remember that our scientists had the capability to build anti-satellite missiles a decade ago, but the then government never gave them permission.”
Here are some other examples of Congress claiming credits:
While Congress leaders are always on the forefront of claiming credit for the success of organizations like ISRO, none of their leaders are seen taking responsibility for the massive corruption scandals under their regime. No Congress leader comes forward to take responsibility for the electoral debacles faced by the party. Nonetheless, this tweet claiming credit for the successful launch of Chandrayaan-2 is just an indication of the thoughts that prevail in Congress’ top leadership for Indian scientists and many more professional communities that have contributed immensely for India’s progress.
