Mars Orbiter Mangalyaan reached its intended destination yesterday. And as always, the Twitterati rose to the occasion – forgetting their little gripes, their work troubles and even that cleavage row – and rolling out the red carpet for ISRO and its brilliant scientists.
First and foremost, a tweet from MOM. Like every self-respecting Indian, it has a Twitter account as well.
What is red, is a planet and is the focus of my orbit? pic.twitter.com/HDRWjOcPus
— ISRO’s Mars Orbiter (@MarsOrbiter) September 24, 2014
Our celebrities were quick to respond: And according to Chinmayi, almost everyone and their thathas were very happy that we got to Mars.
Scheisse. So many ppl and their grandparents have tweeted the Maangalyam tantunane line. Must check TL first before tweeting — Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) September 24, 2014
Even Brahma, apparently. How do we know? Because God said so.
Congratulations India, whose #Mangalyaan rocket is now orbiting Mars! I’ve never seen Brahmā so proud! He’s crying all eight eyes out! — God (@TheTweetOfGod) September 24, 2014
Obviously, there was a lot of pride on display.
Big Salute to all the scientists – #Mangalyaan…..always proud to be an Indian — Sivakarthikeyan (@Siva_Kartikeyan) September 24, 2014
#ISRO.. take a bow.. You deserve every inch of respect.. Thank you for making me a proud Indian.. — khushbusundar (@khushsundar) September 24, 2014
Another proud day to say I’m an #Indian ! Congrats to the best brains in the world! #ISRO#Mars#Mangalyaan#Jaihind — Vikram Prabhu (@iamVikramPrabhu) September 24, 2014
This was a good excuse to celebrate too, we thought. So did these people.
What great news this morning! #Mangalyaan reaches Mars orbit! What a great achievement! So proud of @isro This deserves a huge celebration!! — Shreya Ghoshal (@shreyaghoshal) September 24, 2014
#Mangalyaan enters the orbit n gives yet another reason for every INDIA to feel the pride n celebrate this moment..#Salute2allBehindIt — khushbusundar (@khushsundar) September 24, 2014
While all of this was happening, the Mars Orbiter and the Curiosity Rover had a great chat. Which was retweeted thousands of times.
Namaste, @MarsOrbiter! Congratulations to @ISRO and India’s first interplanetary mission upon achieving Mars orbit. — Curiosity Rover (@MarsCuriosity) September 24, 2014
This was also around the time when we found out that MoM is just like the typical Indian mom. It managed to squeeze in some ‘me time’ despite having an impressive list of things to do…you know, like all our moms.
I’ll be back after breakfast. Good ol’ sunlight. It’s good for your battery.
— ISRO’s Mars Orbiter (@MarsOrbiter) September 24, 2014
MoM sent us a postcard from space
The view is nice up here. pic.twitter.com/VmAjNI76lm — ISRO’s Mars Orbiter (@MarsOrbiter) September 25, 2014
Fit in a practice session
A shot of Martian atmosphere. I’m getting better at it. No pressure. pic.twitter.com/A27s34q5AD
— ISRO’s Mars Orbiter (@MarsOrbiter) September 25, 2014
And also found the time to support a fellow voyager in space
The bravest of us all @NASAVoyager, having ventured out the farthest. We’re here for you. — ISRO’s Mars Orbiter (@MarsOrbiter) September 26, 2014
Congratulations poured in.
I congratulate India and #ISRO on the sucessful mission to Mars. #Mangalyaan #MissionMars #MarsMission. — Sridevi Boney Kapoor (@SrideviBKapoor) September 24, 2014
Congrats ISRO on the successful launch of Mangalyaan !!! #mars — G.V.Prakash Kumar (@gvprakash) September 24, 2014
Congratulations to all the scientists in ISRO for the successful mission of MangalYAAN . I am glad to share my happiness as an Indian.
— Harris Jayaraj (@Jharrisjayaraj) September 24, 2014
Of course, much was made of the fact that MoM was sent to Mars on a budget lesser than that of Alfonso Cuaron’s Gravity. Yes, really.
India has spent $74 mil to reach Mars. Less than the budget of the film “Gravity,” $100 million. #respect#ISRO#Mangalyaan — rajamouli ss (@ssrajamouli) September 24, 2014
And, this also gave Madhan Karky a chance to showcase his psychic lyrical abilities. The man has a song for everything.
மங்கள்யான் போலே பாயும் எங்கள் எண்ணம் விண் முட்டும் பூமி மொத்தம் கை தட்டும்! A song I wrote for #Mellisai on 16-11-13. Thank you @isro 🙂
— Madhan Karky (@madhankarky) September 24, 2014
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
There were jokes; there was snark; and there was pride. Lots of it.
Vir Das reminded us that Mars needs MoMs too.
I love how “Dude! Your MOM went to Mars” is now a legitimate and sensible sentence. Congrats!!!! #isro #Mangalyaan — Virr Das (@thevirdas) September 24, 2014
And perhaps, that’s why we got there on the first try. Boo hoo Maven!
On it’s frst attempt without failing!! #Congrats ISRO! on behalf f al Indians,I salute dose who wrkd bhind tis mission #Mangalyaan #JaiHind — Amala (@Amala_ams) September 24, 2014
India, the first country to reach mars orbit in the first attempt itself.. #respect #Mangalyaan #ISRO — rajamouli ss (@ssrajamouli) September 24, 2014
But trust CS Amudhan to have the last word on this, as he pointed out the magnitude of MoM’s achievement.
ISRO has done the impossible, we’re all watching Doordarshan! — c.s.amudhan (@csamudhan) September 24, 2014
Touche.
