Mars mission success a national accomplishment: Ghulam Nabi Azad

NEW DELHI: Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad today hailed ISRO's triumph in maiden Mars mission, calling it a national accomplishment that has raised India's status world-wide.

Heartily congratulating scientists of ISRO, the Congress leader said it is also a "befitting reply to the class of politicians who keep claiming that nothing has happened in the last sixty years".

Azad said the "unprecedented success" in entering the Red Planet's orbit on the first attempt reflected the "unmatched brilliance", remarkable abilities and unflinching commitment of the scientific community.

"Today's achievement has raised our status and esteem in the comity of nations considering the fact that out of the 51 missions, only 21 have succeeded, with none in the first attempt," he said.

With the success of 'Mangalyaan', India has become the first country to go to Mars in the very first try. European, American and Russian probes have managed to orbit or land on the planet, but after several attempts. The first Chinese mission to Mars, called Yinghuo-1, failed in 2011. Earlier in 1998, the Japanese mission ran out of fuel and was lost.

"Our head bows to our talented scientists at ISRO for accomplishing this outstanding feat. We are proud of you," the former Union Minister said.

He also said that though it is an event to be celebrated by the nation, it is also a "befitting reply to the class of politicians who keep claiming that nothing has happened in the last sixty years and still never let go of any opportunity to take credit without being willing to share the credit with those who had the vision to nurture world class institutions capable of creating history".