Sunday, September 08, 2019
Indian space
research organization (ISRO) set it eyes to achieve what no one else had done
before and its most ambitious project till date was launch of moon mission
Chandrayan2. This was a mission significantly different and unique in
many ways like the choice of soft landing location (South Pole), the low cost
of the project (940 Cr) , the indigenous nature of this program (Made in India
technology) and the scientific objectives of Vikram Lander & Pragyan Rover .
We traveled more than 3 lakh Km in this journey, successfully placed the moon
orbiter and came as close as 2.1 kms to make a soft landing on the surface of
the moon. The communication to the lander was lost just few seconds before the
touchdown and it is still being contacted as i write.
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| ISRO Ground Station , Bengaluru |
This whole
initiative was led by a team of scientists from ISRO, their
chairman K Sivan and most importantly our leader Hon. Prime Minister of India
Shri Narendra Modi. The event gave us very important ‘Leadership lessons’ and i list them in as simple words as I can.
1.
Set out a visionary
goal
PM Modi set out an
objective that was never accomplished by any other country so far. The team believed
in it and came together to deliver, working day and night over couple of years.
2.
Empower and entrust your
team
The Indian government
per se, gave full autonomy to ISRO scientists to perform. The PM kept an eye on
the mission at all times and put his full trust in the team.
 |
| PM Narendra Modi with ISRO Chairman K Sivan |
3.
Raise the benchmark
for success and failure
ISRO had already
launched a successful mission Chandrayan1 and worked in pursuit for higher
excellence. Chandrayan2 was 99% accomplished, even a partial failure was better
than our last best.
4.
Stand with your team
at all times
Physical presence of
management with their team in high pressure events, key meetings, make or break
situations is a big morale booster. PM Modi returned back from an international
visit but was present with ISRO scientists at 1 30 AM to witness the soft landing on moon, staying back till 3 AM and again coming back at 8 AM the same morning.
5.
Share words of
wisdom & advise to boost morale
Outcomes don’t follow
projections and predictions however perfect a situation is and the same
happened with Vikram Lander & Pragyan Rover. The team of scientists were
crest fallen and they needed their leader to belittle the miss which the PM did
so gracefully. He came back to ISRO center at 8 AM and communicated with them
in the most logical words. Science is all about experiments and not failures,
and if we don’t experiment we don’t break the glass ceiling. The mission will
succeed and our scientists will not rest until they have done so, were his
words to boost their morale and re-energize them.
6.
Give a human touch
The embrace, the hug
which PM Modi gave to ISRO Chairman K Sivan said so many things about his
character and his humane side. Governments, Institutions, Organizations,
Civilizations are nothing but the people who represent them and all events of
our lives can only be depicted by these interpersonal relationships. A great
leader knows the importance of a hug, an embrace, a smile, a handshake and a
body language that is positive and comforting.
 |
| PM Narendra Modi and ISRO Chaairman K Sivan |
7.
Give recognition to
the team
Naysayers might say
that live telecast of soft landing on the moon was too risky, since the cost of
failure in terms of public opinion is very heavy. If one sees from the view of
our Prime Minister, he wanted to give credit where it was due. The country
never knew the silent warriors that our scientists are as they always keep away
from limelight. With this event, the entire world came face to face with our
technological prowess and the brains behind it. Men and women from all parts of
the country have fought their battle to reach where they are now and they
deserve respect, recognition and support. Our leader ensured that this unique
window of telecast to the world gave our scientists their share of name and
fame. What it also did to the young minds of the country is, a resolve to join
such prestigious institutes and one day launch missions like Chandrayan.
I am hopeful of our
success, optimistic about our future, proud of being born in a country of
billion dreams. Ten years from now, we will be a superpower in space programs and India will contribute to the welfare of the world and this is what we as a
civilization have been known for.
