On Wednesday, 27 March, PM Narendra Modi had the entire nation, especially the Twitter world on tenterhooks when he tweeted saying that he would address the nation with an “important message.” For almost one hour, Twitter speculated. There were jokes about another DeMo announcement, questions regarding national security and what not.
Finally, when the PM addressed the nation, he spoke about Mission Shakti. Modi announced that India had demonstrated anti-satellite missile capability by shooting down a live satellite. He also said India is only the fourth country to acquire such a specialised and modern capability.
Post the announcement, Twitterati was abuzz with responses to the announcement.
‘Nehru’s Vision’
Many Twitter users said the real credit goes to Nehru’s vision for India’s space programme.
One used tweeted saying if it was up to Sanghis, they would have started Indian Gau Research Organisation.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav tweeted that PM Modi diverted the nation’s attention away from issues on ground by pointing at the sky. He also congratulated DRDO and ISRO for their success.
Another Twitter user asked if Modi thanked Nehru for spending money on DRDO instead of building statues.
Look at the irony, said one Twitter user. “For 5 years he abused Pandit Nehru and his legacy. And today he has got nothing of his own achievement and he is begging for votes on Nehru's vision,” she said.
Poll-Eve Desperation?
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the announcement seems like “desperate oxygen to save the imminent sinking of the BJP boat.”
Journalist Shekhar Gupta said PM making such a big deal of it personally shows poll-eve desperation.
One user pointed out that usually such an announcement is made via a press release, and blamed Modi of trying to get “election mileage” out of ISRO’s achievement.
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