WEBDESK: The Modi government is once again being accused of misleading the public, this time under the name of a space mission.
Media reports reveal that INR 5 billion were spent to secure a seat on a foreign space mission, which is now being presented by pro-government media as a major national achievement.
However, this mission included no Indian technology, no scientific role, and no operational contribution from India.
Critics say it is nothing more than political theatre.
Group Captain Shukla, a close associate of Prime Minister Modi, was selected for the space journey, reportedly as a reward for his loyalty to the Hindutva ideology.
According to the BBC, the money was paid for his seat and training, while his conversation with Modi from space appeared more like a campaign video promoting BJP’s agenda than a scientific mission.
Observers say that this so-called mission reflects the ongoing failure of ISRO, where genuine scientific work is being replaced by symbolic actions and media-driven narratives.
They argue that presenting a rented seat as a scientific breakthrough is misleading and damaging to India’s credibility in space research.
Earlier, Al Jazeera reported that the Indian government’s research initiative ‘Vigyan Dhara’ is failing to deliver.
It was described as a political showpiece rather than a genuine support scheme for scientific development.
Under the previous INSPIRE programme, researchers have not received their fellowships for the past nine months.
Many of them are now in debt or have been forced to give up their research altogether.
The new Vigyan Dhara scheme has created further chaos. Delays in payment and lack of proper management have left many researchers unable to afford essential tools like laptops.
With personal savings exhausted, the situation is becoming critical for young scientists.
This fact sounds strong concerns about the future of science and Invention in India.
Self-sufficiency and scientific advancement are promises of the Modi government and are proving to be bankrupt.
Analysts and critics feel that there is an increasing disparity between what the government purports and what is on the ground.
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