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A British journalist has sparked outrage after he asked India to “return Rs 24,081 crore” after the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the moon.
Patrick Christys, a presenter on GB News, made the remarks during a discussion about the mission. He said that India had received £2.3 billion (Rs 24,081 crore) in aid from the UK between 2016 and 2021, and that the country should now return the money.
Christys’ comments were widely condemned on social media. Many people pointed out that India is a developing country that has made significant progress in space exploration in recent years. They also said that the UK has a long history of colonialism and exploitation in India, and that Christys’ comments were insensitive and offensive.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) also responded to Christys’ comments. In a statement, ISRO said that the Chandrayaan-3 mission was “a proud moment for India” and that the country was “committed to its space program.”
The statement said that India had received foreign aid from many countries, including the UK, but that this aid had been used to “develop its scientific and technological capabilities.”
The statement also said that India was “a responsible and transparent nation” and that it would “always welcome” foreign investment in its space program.
Christys has since apologized for his comments. He said that he did not mean to offend anyone and that he was “proud” of India’s achievements in space exploration.
I appear to have enraged Indian Twitter 😂 pic.twitter.com/SnhUU3zOjC
— Patrick Christys (@PatrickChristys) August 23, 2023
I appear to have enraged Indian Twitter 😂 pic.twitter.com/SnhUU3zOjC
— Patrick Christys (@PatrickChristys) August 23, 2023
However, the damage has already been done. Christys’ comments have highlighted the deep-rooted prejudice and ignorance that still exists in some quarters about India. They have also shown how easy it is for people to make insensitive and offensive remarks about developing countries.
The successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 is a major achievement for India. It is a reminder of the country’s growing capabilities in the field of space exploration. It is also a source of pride for all Indians.
Christys’ comments should not detract from this achievement. However, they should serve as a reminder of the challenges that India still faces in terms of its international image.
