PM Modi gives tight hug to emotional ISRO chief

After a pep talk to scientists, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday gave a long and tight hug to an emotional ISRO chief K Sivan, who was in tears, unable to come to terms over lander Vikram's unsuccessful bid to soft land on the moon.

The video of Modi hugging Sivan has gone viral on social media with netizens dubbing it as the hug of over a billion Indians and heaping praises on both.

Renowned personalities too could not stop themselves from hailing the prime minister's kind gesture.

Modi, in his address at the ISRO centre here, asked the scientists not to get disheartened by the hurdles in the lunar mission Chandrayaan-2 and asserted that there will be a "new dawn".

No sooner than the prime minister concluded his address, Sivan accompanied him to see him off.

At this juncture, the prime minister, who was on his way to get into his car, gave him a "reassuring" and tight hug, lending his shoulder to teary-eyed Sivan.

The prime minister embraced Sivan as he made no secret of his deep disappointment as the ambitious venture did not pan out as intended.

Modi also said in his address that the country's determination to land on the moon has become even stronger.

"We came very close, but we need to cover more ground...Learnings from today will make us stronger and better," he told the scientists, adding, "The best is yet to come in our space programme. India is with you."
Knowing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, I have no doubt he and his ISRO team will make it happen one day."
Proud of our scientists! Proud of our Prime Minister!!"
Sharing the video, Union Minister for Woman and Child Development Smriti Irani tweeted, "Moment that defined true leadership!"
BJP's Rajya Sabha member Rajeev Chandrasekhar too shared the video with a message, "And that's what a true leader does - stand by his team in success and setbacks as Narendra Modi said - we are proud of the work ISRO does and of the Chandrayaan-2."
Sharing a cartoon showing Modi as India hugging the space scientist, internationally acclaimed wrestler Babita Phogat said in a tweet, "Sampark Toota Hai Sankalp Nahi (Lost communication, not hope)."