Modi's presence at ISRO could have proved 'bad omen' for Vikram moon lander: HD Kumaraswamy
Bengaluru, Sept 12: Former Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy stoked a major controversy on Thursday by suggesting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's presence at the ISRO headquarters on September 6 could have proved a 'bad omen' as the soft landing of moon lander Vikram failed.
"I don't know (affirmatively), but probably the timing of his stepping in there could have brought a bad omen to ISRO scientists," Kumaraswamy said at a press conference in Mysuru.
He went on to add that Modi came to Bengaluru on Sept 6 night to send across a message to the people of the country that he was behind the launch of Chandrayaan.
However, the project was the outcome of the scientists and the UPA government during 2008-09, he asserted.
"Poor scientists had toiled for 10 to 12 years. The cabinet approval for Chandrayaan-2 was given in 2008-09 and accordingly the funds were released the same year.
"He (Modi) came here to seek publicity as if he was behind the launch of Chandrayaan-2," Kumaraswamy alleged.
In a setback to the lunar mission Chandrayaan-2 launched on July 22, the soft landing of Vikram lander on the lunar surface did not take place as planned on September 7 morning as the module lost communication with its earth station.
The Prime Minister had specifically arrived in Bengaluru to witness the event with the ISRO team.
Explaining the 'helplessness' of Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa before the Centre on all matters, Kumaraswamy said no one in the state government and the centre had the guts to approach the Prime Minister for anything.
One example of this was the manner in which the Prime Minister indicating to the Chief Minister and other union ministers present at the ISRO headquarters to leave on the intervening night of September 6 and 7, he alleged.
"The chief minister (Yediyurappa) and a deputy chief minister had gone there... two to three union ministers too accompanied him.
In a sign message, he (Modi) indicated them to leave the place, telling them there was no need for them to be there.
These people returned with their tails between their legs. This is the condition of the government that represents our people," Kumaraswamy said.
Former Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy in Mysuru: PM came to Bengaluru to give a message that he himself was landing Chandrayaan-2, scientists worked hard for 10-12 yrs, he came just for sake of advertisement. Once he stepped in ISRO Centre, I think it became bad luck for scientists. pic.twitter.com/nYXOHxqnpE
— ANI (@ANI) September 12, 2019
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AIITA welcomes Karnataka’s ban on obscene songs in school events
Bhatkal: The Karnataka unit of the All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA) has welcomed the Karnataka government’s decision to strictly ban school children from dancing to obscene songs during educational and cultural programmes in government, aided, and private schools across the state.
AIITA Karnataka State President M. R. Manvi congratulated the government for taking what he termed an important step to preserve the sanctity of education.
“Such decisions to safeguard the dignity of school children and uphold the values of education are the need of the hour. This rule should not be limited to government schools alone but must be strictly implemented in all private educational institutions as well,” he said.
He further urged the government to address other concerns within school programmes.
“The government should not only prohibit obscene dances in the name of school anniversaries, but also ensure that plays and dialogues that incite religious hatred are avoided. Schools should be centres of harmony, not platforms for spreading hatred,” he added.
According to a recent circular issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy, obscene dances are adversely affecting the mental health and moral values of students.
In this regard, schools have been advised to use songs that promote nationalism, positive thinking, the greatness of Kannada culture, and value-based traditions instead of inappropriate content during programmes.
The circular also emphasises that students should be dressed in decent attire.
AIITA also backed the department’s warning that disciplinary action would be taken against head teachers if such guidelines are violated. The association has further demanded that district Deputy Directors of Public Instruction strictly monitor the implementation of these rules.
