Indian Space Research Organisation is using social media in an engaging manner these days. While most government organisations, including ISRO, use sites like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram as extended platforms to upload press releases, sometimes, they manage an out-of-the-box hit.
On Thursday, ISRO uploaded a post on Twitter explaining the payload that Chandrayaan 2 will be taking to the moon, and to make the post interactive, asked people to post a list of their #MoonEssentials, or a list of five things that they would like to take to the moon. The tweet has so far generated over 7,200 likes and over 1,200 retweets.
It might be modest by social media standards and a far cry from “going viral”, but the responses that the tweet has generated are interesting, ranging from seriously scientific inputs to humorous ones. National pride, and a bit of jingoism top the charts. The national flag, soil of India and Gangajal are top responses for MoonEssentials. Many more have put in their wishlist pictures of Vikram Sarabhai and A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, as well as names of all ISRO scientists involved in the project. Rig Veda and Bhagwad Gita are also high on the Indian wishlist. Placards of Jai Shri Ram and Saare jahan se achcha are other suggestions that many have articulated.
also read
- Why is specialised coating essential for the delayed NISAR mission’s antenna?
- 'Pushpak': All you need to know about ISRO's RLV and its successful landing
- Why ISRO has pinpointed 48 locations for safe return of Gaganyaan astronauts
- S. Somnath says his family was 'shocked' after cancer diagnosis on Aditya-L1 launch day
- Explained: How Gaganyaan astronauts will benefit from simulator training
Many have wished for a lunar experiment on growing plants, suggesting seeds ranging from the tulsi to coconut. One response even details the experiment, saying a plant in an air-tight chamber, with its roots sticking out, should be taken to the moon, and planted on the moon's soil by the rover. Another suggests a jar of anaerobic bacteria, to see whether they will survive on the moon. Yet another suggestion is to take cockroaches to the moon. This household pest is supposed to be resilient to changing environment, and has not evolved on earth for millennia. Some scientists say it will be one of the species to survive a nuclear holocaust.
One response recalls the story that there is an old woman who makes dosas on the moon. He suggests sending some dosa mix for her, as well as a new sweater and a gas cylinder. Another suggests sending some pakoras to munch on the moon. Beer and marijuana are other MoonEssentials. When there is something to drink, smoke and munch, then a television set cannot be far behind on the wishlist, so that people can watch the ICC World Cup from the moon. Another suggestion is simple: bat and ball.
“This one is must. I wanna see how earth looks through this,'' says one cheeky post, with a picture of a sieve, referring to the tradition of Karva Chauth. Another post says there's no need to take anything to Mama's (maternal uncle) house.
The list of people who need to be sent to the moon (ostensibly on a one-way trip) is long. It includes Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Asaduddin Owaisi, Arvind Kejriwal and Rahul Gandhi.
The most endearing post, however, is one which wished the mission success and says: “You are already carrying the burden of a billion expectations, so I think it is more than enough.”
