In an interview with Sun TV, when questioned by the interviewer that as a Tamilian, having attained a big position, what does he want to say to ppl of Tamil Nadu, ISRO chief K Sivan had responded saying that he is an Indian first and joined the Space Research organisation as an Indian.
https://twitter.com/Ethirajans/status/1171227749760954368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
“First of all, I’m an Indian and I joined ISRO as an Indian. It is an organisation where people from all the regions, speaking different languages work together and contribute. However, I am grateful to my brothers who celebrate me,” Sivan answered.
The interview was taken by Sun News in January 2018. A clip from that interview went viral on social media today after many people shared it.
ISRO chief K Sivan has become a household name all over India ever since the Chandrayaan-2 mission was announced. His leadership skills, humble demeanour and calm response to constant media attention have earned him immense respect and admiration from all quarters.
ISRO, under K Sivan’s leadership, has achieved the remarkable feat of sending the Chadrayaan-2 orbiter to the moon. Though the Vikram Lander lost communication just 2.1 km away from the lunar surface, ISRO’s attempt to send a rover to the lunar south pole and almost succeeding at it was hailed all over the world, earning accolades for Dr Sivan and his colleagues.
https://twitter.com/SuryahSG/status/1171255343516536832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
It is notable here that Sun News is owned by the DMK bosses who have made their political careers over a secessionist Dravidian politics, spreading the idea that the Tamil identity is different from the Indian identity. The humble and firm reply of the ISRO chief in the old interview, asserting that he identifies himself as an Indian first who comes from the state of Tamil Nadu, not only punctured an attempt to spread the idea but also showed how dearly the ISRO chief loves his nation.