Thiruvananthapuram, August 24 (BPNS)
Former space scientist Nambi Narayanan has been accused of defaming the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and its former employees. The allegation has been raised by none other than Nambi’s former colleagues.
In a press meeting, they alleged that Nambi’s claim in the biopic film ‘Rocketry: The Nambi Effect’ and in various interviews that the espionage case and his subsequent arrest backpedaled India’s dream of developing a cryogenic engine is ‘far from truth’. According to them, they had requested ISRO chairman S Somanath to clear the air.
The press conference was attended by Dr A E Muthunayagam, who was director, LPSC, ISRO; Prof E V S Namboothiri, former project director, cryogenic engine and D Sasikumaran, former deputy director, cryogenic engine, and other former scientists.
“What he said through Rocketry and in various interviews is false. One such thing is his arrest led to a delay in India acquiring cryogenic technology. What’s the truth is, he was not even part of that project. ISRO began to develop cryogenic technology in the 1980s and E V S Namboothiri was in-charge,” said one of the colleagues.
The colleagues also added that Nambi’s claims that he is the father of many projects and he once corrected A P J Abdul Kalam, who went on to become the Indian President is nothing but erroneous.
“We will have to say at least 90 percent of the things said in connection with the ISRO in the film Rocketry (written, produced, and directed by R Madhavan, who also played the role of Nambi) is false. Nambi seems to be taking credit for some achievements, which indeed belongs to others,” said one of them.
At the same time, neither Nambi nor Madhavan had come out with a statement on the recent allegations.
The film Rocketry released in July received accolades from various spheres. Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself appreciated the film as he said in a Tweet in 2021 that this film covers an important topic, which more people must know about. “Our scientists and technicians have made great sacrifices for our country, glimpses of which I could see in the clips of Rocketry.”
It was in 1994 that the infamous ISRO espionage case got reported. At the time of arrest in November 1994, Nambi was director of the cryogenic project at ISRO. The case was that he along with others provided drawings of the ISRO rocket engine to sell to Pakistan. However, in April 1996, the Central Bureau of Investigation filed a report before the Kerala High Court that the espionage case is false and there was no evidence to back the charges.
Since then Nambi is in the fight to bring those who tarnished his personal and professional life before the law.
Earlier, in May 2018 the Supreme Court had observed that Nambi faced a dent in his reputation due to ‘malafide prosecution’. The court also awarded compensation which was further handed over to him by the state government.
At the same time, a CBI investigation is in progress against former officers including Siby Mathews, RB Sreekumar, PS Jayaprakash, and others for finding if there is any larger conspiracy involving foreign powers to stall the development of cryogenic engine technology for at least two decades.
