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By:

Abhijit Joshi

31 August 2024 at 10:09:24 am

Sunetra Pawar’s Trial by Fire

The greatest challenge before Maharashtra’s first Deputy CM is not merely to govern, but to forge a political identity that is unmistakably her own. Politics often rewards the loudest voice. The modern political arena thrives on sharp sound bites, relentless television appearances and instant responses on social media. Yet, some leaders begin their journey not with thunder but with quiet resolve. Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar finds herself at precisely such a moment. In...

Sunetra Pawar’s Trial by Fire

The greatest challenge before Maharashtra’s first Deputy CM is not merely to govern, but to forge a political identity that is unmistakably her own. Politics often rewards the loudest voice. The modern political arena thrives on sharp sound bites, relentless television appearances and instant responses on social media. Yet, some leaders begin their journey not with thunder but with quiet resolve. Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar finds herself at precisely such a moment. In recent days, she has been drawn into an avoidable political controversy after the Maharashtra Congress dubbed her as “Gungi Gudiya” (“mute doll”) following a media interaction in which she chose not to answer journalists' questions. The remark quickly snowballed into a wider debate about the language used against women occupying high constitutional office. It also revived memories of the same epithet once directed at late Congress Prime Minister Indira Gandhi before she went on to become one of India’s most formidable political figures. Until recently, Sunetra Pawar remained largely outside the glare of frontline politics. She was better known in Baramati for her work in education, healthcare and social welfare than for fiery speeches or electoral campaigns. Her public image was that of a composed, private individual who preferred institution-building to political theatre. Political Limelight That changed in 2024 when she entered electoral politics, contesting the Lok Sabha election from Baramati against her sister-in-law, Supriya Sule. Though unsuccessful, she later entered Parliament through the Rajya Sabha, where she quietly focused on organisational responsibilities and social initiatives rather than cultivating a high-profile parliamentary persona. The defining moment came in January this year with the tragic death of her husband, Ajit Pawar, one of the state’s most experienced and influential political leaders. His passing created a political vacuum within the Nationalist Congress Party. At a moment of uncertainty, Sunetra Pawar stepped forward to shoulder responsibilities that few had imagined she would inherit so soon. Within days, she became Maharashtra’s first woman Deputy Chief Minister - a milestone in the state’s political history. But such transitions are rarely straightforward. Political parties often struggle when towering personalities disappear, and observers had predicted that the NCP might witness internal divisions. Maintaining organisational cohesion during a leadership transition is itself a considerable achievement, particularly in a state where political loyalties are often fluid and intensely personalised. However, much of the public conversation around Sunetra Pawar continues to be framed through comparisons with Ajit Pawar. The contrast is obvious. Ajit Pawar was known for his decisiveness, administrative grip and unmistakable public presence. Sunetra Pawar, by contrast, has generally remained soft-spoken, measured and reluctant to engage in unnecessary confrontation. Her supporters see restraint, dignity and maturity but critics see hesitation and insufficient public engagement. Neither assessment is entirely unfair. That is why the recent Beed incident acquired significance beyond a routine press interaction. When reporters sought her comments on law and order and she chose to leave without responding, the political vacuum was quickly filled by her opponents. The Congress’s “Gungi Gudiya” remark predictably provoked protests from the NCP and criticism from leaders across the ruling alliance, many of whom argued that such language diminished the dignity of a woman holding one of the state’s highest offices. Sunetra Pawar’s own response was notably restrained. She said she would offer a “fitting reply at the appropriate time.” The remark was consistent with the temperament she has displayed since entering public life. Leadership is ultimately judged not only by composure but also by visibility. Every major political figure eventually reaches a point where inherited legitimacy must give way to earned authority. Indira Gandhi had to step beyond Jawaharlal Nehru's towering legacy before she was recognised in her own right. Rajiv Gandhi, too, had to emerge from the shadow of Indira Gandhi while navigating extraordinary political circumstances. Their journeys were shaped by vastly different contexts, but they illustrate a universal truth: every successor must eventually become an original. Sunetra Pawar now confronts a similar, though far more modest, challenge. She must cease to be viewed primarily as “Ajit Pawar's wife” and come into her own. Distinct Identity That transformation cannot be achieved through symbolism alone. After all, lasting political stature is built through decisions, administrative outcomes and public confidence. To her credit, she has remained engaged with governance, regularly attending official programmes, reviewing development projects and interacting with citizens instead of chasing daily headlines. Yet the next stage of leadership demands something more. She will need to engage more confidently with the media, articulate her government's priorities in her own voice, and establish an administrative record that reflects independent judgement rather than inherited expectations. These are demanding tasks, but they are neither unusual nor unattainable. It is still too soon to measure Sunetra Pawar’s political legacy. She assumed responsibility at a moment when both her party and the state were adjusting to an unexpected transition, and has so far navigated that passage with composure. Yet political inheritance has a limited shelf life. While quietness, in itself, is neither a virtue nor a weakness, it acquires meaning only when it is accompanied by clarity and conviction. If Sunetra Pawar is to leave an enduring imprint on Maharashtra's politics, it will not be by echoing the style of Ajit Pawar or by answering every taunt from her opponents. It will be by developing a public voice that reflects her own instincts, her own priorities and, ultimately, her own leadership. (The writer is a political observer. Views personal.)

Forging a New Frontier with Chandrayaan-4

Updated: Jan 6, 2025

As India’s space ambitions soar, S. Somanath’s leadership at ISRO stands as a testament to the agency’s vision, expertise and unyielding determination.

Chandrayaan-4

In a quiet but momentous statement following the success of Chandrayaan-3 in August 2023, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman S. Somanath had declared, “India is now on the Moon!” The words had echoed across the world as India became the first country to successfully soft-land a spacecraft on the Moon’s south pole, cementing its place in the annals of space exploration. Under Somanath’s leadership, ISRO had joined an exclusive club of space-faring nations—becoming the fourth after the U.S., Russia, and China to achieve a lunar surface touchdown.


Yet, as significant as this achievement was, it was merely a stepping stone to the more ambitious Chandrayaan-4 mission. As the ISRO chief, Somanath now finds himself at the helm of a rapidly advancing space program, navigating the complexities of the next great frontier: returning lunar soil samples to Earth. This mission will not only mark a pivotal moment in India’s space aspirations but also showcase the sophistication of the technologies that ISRO is now mastering under Somanath’s guidance.


Sreedhara Somanath, with a background in aerospace engineering, is not only a visionary leader but also a seasoned engineer with a deep understanding of the intricacies of space exploration. Born in 1963, Somanath’s journey into the world of space began in 1985 when he joined the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram. Over the years, he became a key figure in the development of India’s launch vehicles, particularly the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). As a director at VSSC, he earned recognition for his pivotal role in the integration of the PSLV, which would go on to become one of ISRO’s most successful and reliable rockets.


Somanath’s expertise lies in the system engineering of launch vehicles. He was integral to the development of the GSLV Mk-III rocket, a crucial piece of ISRO’s arsenal for heavier payloads, which played a central role in the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon.


When Somanath took over as ISRO’s chairman in January 2022, following the tenure of Dr. K. Sivan, the agency was at the cusp of major advancements. As chairman, Somanath’s focus has been clear: to continue ISRO’s trajectory of scientific excellence while simultaneously fostering innovation in space technologies. His work on Chandrayaan-3 and the upcoming Chandrayaan-4 mission epitomizes his commitment to India’s expanding ambitions in space.


The Chandrayaan-4 mission is poised to push the boundaries of India’s space program even further. Building on the success of Chandrayaan-3, which soft-landed the Vikram lander on the Moon’s south pole in August 2023, ISRO now sets its sights on lunar sample return.


For Somanath, Chandrayaan-4 is the culmination of decades of scientific research, engineering prowess and strategic vision. The mission will require the successful execution of space docking experiments—a capability ISRO is developing with its SpaDeX (Space Docking Experiment). In December 2024, ISRO launched the C60 mission, placing two satellites in orbit to demonstrate the technology of rendezvous and docking. This experiment, aimed at mastering orbital manoeuvres, is vital for Chandrayaan-4, as it will involve docking multiple modules in space before they return lunar soil to Earth.


The ability to dock and undock spacecraft is crucial for future space missions, particularly with India’s plans for a manned mission to the Moon and the establishment of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) by 2035.


For Somanath and his team, this is the next frontier. With Chandrayaan-4, ISRO is striving to prove India’s capability to execute complex space operations, opening the door to future missions that could change humanity’s relationship with the Moon and beyond.


2025 promises to be a landmark year for ISRO, as it prepares to launch multiple missions, including the NVS-02 navigation satellite, and a series of GSLV and PSLV launches. These missions will not only demonstrate ISRO’s ongoing commitment to space exploration but also solidify its position as a leader in space technology. From the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 to the imminent Chandrayaan-4, ISRO’s trajectory under Somnath’s guidance is one of remarkable progress. But he remains focused on the horizon, as the true potential of India’s space program is only beginning to be realized.

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