Controversy Surrounds ISRO Chairman’s Memoir
So, there’s some interesting news coming from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The chairman, S Somanath, has decided to put the release of his upcoming memoir, titled “Nilavu Kudicha Simhangal” (Lions that drank the moonlight), on hold.
The Controversial Excerpts
Why, you ask? Well, it seems that some excerpts from the book have caused quite a controversy.
Allegations against Former ISRO Chief
Apparently, the book includes references to former ISRO chief, K Sivan, allegedly trying to obstruct Somanath’s appointment to the top position in the space agency.
Somanath’s Denial
However, Somanath has made it clear that he never wrote anything about someone trying to hinder his chances. He believes that the publishers in Kozhikode may have given copies to someone without his knowledge.
Delay in Book’s Release
In light of the controversy, he has asked the publishers to hold off on the book’s release, which was supposed to happen next week. He wants to make sure that there is no content that can be misinterpreted or create unnecessary controversy. He’s even considering whether or not to release the book at all.
Sivan’s Response
As for Sivan, he responded to the controversy by simply saying, “There is nothing for me to say.” However, those close to him have pointed out several inaccuracies in the reported book excerpts, including the timeline of Somanath’s appointment as the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) director.
The Origin of the Controversy
So, how did this controversy start? Well, it all began with a news report in Kerala that alleged Somanath felt sidelined within ISRO before his promotion to the top post. The previewed content also mentioned Somanath attributing the failure of the Chandrayaan-2 mission to insufficient experiments and reviews.
Somanath’s Clarification
But here’s the twist – Somanath claims that the words quoted in the news report are not his own. He didn’t mention Sivan or anyone else in the book. He wants to make it clear that his objective is not to create controversies or blame anyone. He simply wants to inspire youngsters with his memoir, which provides insights into his formative years and the struggles he faced coming from a humble background.
Reconciliation with Sivan
In fact, Somanath expressed regret that this controversy could potentially harm Sivan unnecessarily. He even mentioned that he had a productive discussion with Sivan about the long-term vision for the space program just the day before. He wants Sivan to chair some committees and believes that what came out today was not the best thing. He plans to meet Sivan in person on Monday to clear the air.
The Future of Somanath’s Memoir
While the release of his memoir remains uncertain, Somanath has mentioned that he intends to write a full-length autobiography after his retirement. So, we might still get a chance to dive deeper into his fascinating journey.
Conclusion and Future Updates
Well, that’s all for now. Let’s see how this controversy unfolds and whether Somanath decides to release his memoir after all. Stay tuned for more updates!
Photo: Freepik.com
