Bengaluru, September 7: Hours after an eerie silence prevailed among the Indian scientific community following the Chandrayaan 2 shortfall, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attempted to lift their spirit. Addressing the scientists at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) headquarters in Bengaluru, Modi said the country will always remain indebted to ISRO for their efforts. Despite being unsuccessful, added Modi, the scientists have exhibited a valorous example before the nation. In the future, India is bound to be successful, he added.

"Friends I could feel what you were going through few hours back, your eyes were conveying a lot. You live for India's honour, I salute you," Modi told the gathering of ISRO scientists. "For last few hours the entire nation was worried. Everyone stands in solidarity with our scientists. We are proud of our space program. Today our resolve to touch the moon has grown even stronger," he added. ISRO Loses Communication With Vikram Lander Just 2.1 km Away From Moon's Surface.

"We will rise to the occasion and reach even newer heights of success. To our scientists I want to say- India is with you. You are exceptional professionals who have made an incredible contribution to national progress," the PM further said.

Update by ANI:

"In our illustrious history, we have faced moments that may have slowed us but they have never crushed our spirit.We have bounced back again and gone on to do spectacular things.This is the reason why our civilization stands tall," he added.

"There will be a new dawn and a brighter tomorrow very soon. There is no failure in science, only experiment and efforts," Modi said.

"We will rise to the occasion and reach even newer heights of success. To our scientists I want to say- India is with you. You are exceptional professionals who have made an incredible contribution to national progress," the Prime Minister further noted before concluding his address.

The Chandrayaan 2 mission was barely a few minutes away from being successful, but ended up with a glitch as the moon lander Vikram lost contact when it was nearly 2.1 km above the celestial body's surface. Had it been successful, India would had been the first nation to soft-land a rover this close to the moon's south pole.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 07, 2019 08:48 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).