ISRO Chief Withdraws Publication of Autobiography After Controversy
S Somanath, the chief of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has decided to withdraw the publication of his upcoming autobiography titled ‘Nilavu Kudicha Simhangal’ (Lions That Drank The Moonlight) following a controversy over alleged critical remarks about his predecessor K Sivan. This decision comes more than a month after Somanath’s exclusive interview with NDTV, where he hinted at facing challenges in his career and the possibility of being thrown out of his position at ISRO.
In the interview conducted in September, after the success of Chandrayaan 3, Somanath candidly spoke about the difficulties he had encountered in both his personal and professional life. He acknowledged that not everything had been smooth sailing for him and that he had faced criticism and threats to his position. Despite facing such challenges, Somanath emphasized the importance of rising above and not allowing oneself to be affected by the negative actions of others.
However, it appears that some alleged critical remarks about K Sivan, his predecessor as ISRO chief, were included in Somanath’s autobiography. This led to a controversy and prompted Somanath to withdraw the publication of the book. Mr Somanath clarified that his intention was not to target any specific individual but rather to highlight the challenges faced by individuals in attaining top positions within an organization.
In response to the controversy, Somanath stated that every person striving for a top position in an organization must overcome various challenges. He explained that his aim was to address the issue of competition for significant posts within the organization and that he did not intend to single out any particular individual.
The withdrawal of S Somanath’s autobiography comes as a disappointment to those who were eager to gain insights into the life and experiences of the ISRO chief. However, it also serves as a reminder that even in the highest positions, individuals face obstacles and must navigate complex dynamics within their organizations.
