Published Nov 04, 2023 | 9:19 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 04, 2023 | 9:19 PM
ISRO chairman S Somanath. (X)
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman S Somanath on Saturday, 4 November, said he was withdrawing his upcoming autobiography after a controversy erupted over some of his critical remarks about his predecessor K Sivan in the book.
Somanath confirmed that he had decided to withdraw the publication of the Malayalam book Nilavu Kudicha Simhangal (Lions that Drank the Moonlight), in the light of the controversy, PTI reported
Earlier in the day, talking to PTI, he had sought to downplay his remarks in the book, saying every person faces challenges during their journey to reach the top position in an organisation.
Somanath was responding to a report that said his autobiography had some critical remarks about his predecessor Sivan.
“Persons holding such key positions may have to go through several challenges. One among them is the challenges with regard to getting positions in an organisation,” he said, adding that these are challenges that everybody has to go through.
“More persons might be eligible for a significant post. I just tried to bring out that particular point. I didn’t target any particular individual in this regard,” he explained.
He admitted that he mentioned in his book the lack of clarity in connection with the announcement of the failure of the Chandrayaan-2 mission.
The ISRO Chairman reiterated that his autobiography was an attempt to inspire people who wish to achieve by fighting challenges and obstacles in life and not criticise anyone.
The key questions thrown up by the autobiography are: Did his predecessor Sivan try to prevent him from becoming the chief of the space organisation? And what exactly caused the failure of the Chandrayaan-2 mission?
According to a report in onmanorama.com, Somanath said in the book that he and Sivan, who continued in service on extension after turning 60, were shortlisted for the post of chairman of the ISRO in 2018. Even though he hoped to bag the position, it was Sivan who was chosen.
But, even after becoming ISRO chairman, Sivan continued as director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC). When Somanath confronted Sivan “with the demand for the post which was justifiably his, the latter played evasive without answering”, the news portal reported.
Somanath was finally appointed as the VSSC director after six months following the intervention of Dr BN Suresh, the former director of the space centre, the report said.
Somanath also contended that “instead of retiring after three years of service as ISRO chairman, Sivan tried to get his tenure extended”.
“I feel that the director of the UR Rao Space Centre was taken on board the Space Commission when it was time to select the new ISRO chairman, just not to make me the chairman,” Somanath is quoted as saying in the report. However, he did not elaborate on the point.
According to the report, Somanath has said in the book that “he was also kept away from the group of people to receive Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he came on the day Chandrayaan-2 was to land on the moon”.
He has also alleged that Sivan, “instead of stating the truth that it was an error in the software that had caused the failure in the landing of Chandrayaan 2, declared that contact could not be established”.
The report notes that Somanath, in the book, said that the “inquiry committee had found five main reasons for the failure of the Chandrayaan 2 mission. Software errors and faults in the electronics assembly of the engine had caused problems. Due to a wrong algorithm, the thrust of the engine was greater than expected. Reducing the yawing motion of the satellite and the command given to land at one particular place proved disastrous. Many of the essential tests were also not done. These findings, however, contributed to the success of the Chandrayaan 3 mission”.
(With PTI inputs)
