ISRO Chief K Sivan Recalls Moment When PM Modi Hugged Him After Chandrayaan 2 Shortfall, Says 'Taught Me Many Lessons'

New Delhi, January 2: Months after the Chandrayaan 2 mission ended in a tragic shortfall, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chief K Sivan recalled the moment when he was consoled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The manner in which Modi embraced him when he was left in tears would always be remembered, said Sivan, adding that the PM had then displayed exemplary leadership. Chandrayaan 2 Project Director Not Included in Third Moon Mission Team of ISRO.

Sivan, on the morning of September 7 -- after the Chandrayaan 2 space mission fall short of making a soft-landing on the moon -- broke down. Visuals showed him sobbing and wiping his tears after it was confirmed that the space agency has lost contact with the Vikram Lander. Watch Video of PM Modi Hugging K Sivan to Console Him.

Modi was seen walking towards Sivan and embracing him. The Prime Minister hugged the ISRO chief and consoled him. Recalling the moment, he told reporters on Thursday, "When I was emotional, the honourable Prime Minister hugged me. He understood what really happened in my mind."

"He (PM Modi) showed leadership. The hug taught me many lessons. It was great thing that the prime minister himself consoled me. That gave us big relief," Sivan told NDTV. The ISRO head further added that the treatment meted out towards them by the Prime Minister "motivated" his disillusioned team to work with equal vigour and re-direct their efforts.

The ISRO, after failing to become the world's first space agency to make a soft landing on moon's surface in a single attempt, will launch the Chandrayaan 3 mission today. The design phase is completed, said Sivan, adding that the team is hopeful of successfully executive the project this year.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 02, 2020 09:25 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).