Chapter 1: The Historic Moon Landing

A remarkable milestone has been reached with India's successful landing on the far side of the Moon. This unprecedented achievement, led by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) under the guidance of S. Somnath—whose name translates to "Lord of the Moon" in Hindu mythology—has captured the world's attention.

History has unfolded today with the first-ever successful landing of a rover on the Moon's dark side. This moment resonates with a sense of fate, especially considering the setbacks faced by previous missions. Just days ago, Russia encountered failure in its lunar aspirations.

As an Indian, this accomplishment fills me with immense pride. However, it's essential to recognize that ISRO's journey to this moment was not without its challenges. The first attempt in 2019, during the Chandrayaan-2 mission, ended in disappointment when communication with the lander was lost just moments before it was set to land. In that moment of despair, S. Somnath found solace in the words of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who emphasized, “Our determination to touch the moon has become even stronger.”

Despite initial skepticism from various corners regarding the mission's worth, today, critics are praising ISRO's efforts and the leadership of our Prime Minister. Mainstream media outlets are focused on the technical and economic aspects of the mission, noting that ISRO's budget of $75 million was significantly lower than that of the film Interstellar, which cost $165 million, yet achieved this remarkable success.

However, I wish to shift the focus from mere statistics. I vividly recall watching the ISRO Chief’s emotional reaction during the previous mission's failure. Years of dedication culminated in what was perceived as defeat, leaving the team disheartened. Yet today, they stand victorious.

Their triumph stems from their refusal to be defined by failure. Instead of starting anew, they built upon past experiences. They ignored external distractions and concentrated on their mission. They had the audacity to dream—dreams so expansive that even the Moon seemed a mere stepping stone.

Echoing the words of India’s former President, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, “Man needs his difficulties, because they are necessary to enjoy success.” This mission serves as a reminder that life is replete with obstacles. Support may not always be present during tough times, and even our best efforts might not yield immediate results. Life, akin to a garden, is filled with both beauty and thorns. If one focuses solely on the challenges, the beauty will be overlooked.

In my school days, I encountered Rudyard Kipling's poem "If," which contains verses that resonate profoundly with this momentous occasion.

If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too;

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,

Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,

And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same;

If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gav