INDIA: In a recent video that has gone viral on social media, former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientist Nambi Narayanan has brought to light the challenges faced by the space agency in its early years due to insufficient funding and a perceived lack of faith from the previous government.
Narayanan, who played a pivotal role in ISRO’s early days, spoke candidly about the hurdles that the organization had to overcome to establish its credibility. He revealed that during its formative years, ISRO struggled with limited financial resources, to the extent that basic equipment like jeeps and cars was lacking. This scarcity of funding underscored a lack of government support and confidence in ISRO’s potential.
“The government didn’t allocate enough funds to ISRO initially,” Narayanan stated. “We didn’t even have a jeep or a car. This indicated that there was minimal budget allocation, which hindered our progress in the beginning.”
Narayanan went on to explain that it was only after ISRO had proven its capabilities and achieved significant milestones that the government began providing more substantial funding. This change in funding dynamics indicated a shift in the government’s perception of ISRO’s abilities.
Addressing the controversy surrounding Prime Minister Narendra Modi receiving credit for ISRO’s achievements, Narayanan emphasized that in the context of national projects like Chandrayaan-3, it was appropriate for the Prime Minister to be credited.
He acknowledged that public opinions about the Prime Minister might differ, but for projects of national significance, it was essential to attribute credit to the highest authority.
Narayanan also dismissed claims of salary delays for space scientists, asserting that there were no issues with timely salary disbursements. He shared that he personally received his pension on the 29th of each month.
These revelations by Nambi Narayanan have sparked discussions about the challenges faced by ISRO during its early years and the role of government support in enabling the organization’s achievements.
The video has gained attention from various quarters, including political parties, further underscoring the significance of ISRO’s journey in India’s space exploration.
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