What’s the role of Masala Dose and Filter Coffee in Chandrayaan 3’s success

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has had to strive against the tide for decades in order to gain the recognition that it has after the successful landing of Chandrayaan 3. Scientists in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) receive salaries that are 5-7 times higher than the salaries of scientists in ISRO. The images of satellites being transported through a bullock cart are etched in the memories of Indians. This makes India’s achievements in space research and exploration even more valuable as the challenges are multifold. 

A similar crisis had unfolded during the Chandrayaan 3 mission when scientists were required to work overtime in order to stick to the deadlines. The funding crunch did not allow ISRO the scope to offer incentives for the scientists to put in the extra effort. However, what they were able to offer is lip smacking Masala Dose and Filter Coffee for free to all scientists at 5 pm everyday. Now that’s an offer one cannot resist.

“We cracked it by offering a free Masala Dose and Filter Coffee at 5p m every evening. Suddenly, everyone was happy to stay on longer," Mission Scientist Venkateshwara Sharma said in an interaction with Barkha Dutt. The scientist even found his romantic partner through the mission. It was a fellow scientist whom he went on to marry.