"No need to get dejected", PM tells ISRO scientists

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday expressed solidarity with ISRO scientists after Chandrayaan-2's Vikram module lost communication with the ground station during the powered descent leading to huge disappointment.

"Communication has been lost. I could see the anxiety on your faces. There is no need to get disappointed because it is not a small achievement.The country is proud of you," he said.

Modi was at the Mission Operations Complex of ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) to watch the planned soft-landing of Vikram on the Lunar surface.

If the lander had pulled off the historic touchdown, the country could have joined the US, Russia and China in soft landing on the lunar surface.

India could have also been the first to lower its lander on the hitherto unexplored south polar region of the moon.

"We have to learn a lot from your effort.As the scientists have told me if communication is re-established, it will send data. Let us hope for the best", Modi said.

"My best wishes to you. You have done a great service to the nation and science. We too are learning a lot from you all. In future too our journey will continue.

I am fully with you all. Let us move with courage. I have belief that due to your efforts, the country will once again start celebrations," the Prime Minister said,
"I see disappointment on your faces. No need to get dejected. We have learnt a lot."