A story that touched my heart and tells me what good science outreach can and should do. A friend's 4 year old son is a big fan of space science and @isro He made the rocket he hung at his window inspired by Chandrayaan. 
@isro 4 year old Ayan Ranade then followed the news about what was going on with the Chandrayaan-2 mission and had a lot of questions for his folks. When he heard that Vikram lander was lost he told his mom "why should they lose hope, I have not lost hope nor should they!"
@isro Here is what Anusha had to say to me - "What delighted me as a parent the most, was the effort that Dr Sivan personally took to not just reply, but to think us worthy enough to take the trouble to help us understand the progress Chandrayaan-2 is making".
@isro "I showed the letter to Ayan who initiated this and wrote the message. Of course he was ecstatic to receive a reply but above all, I think it makes him now believe that he is only limited to his imagination"
@isro "This letter has further strengthened a 5 year old's determination to become a scientist. Such gestures are affirmations to their inclinations and beliefs."
@isro "He also said he feels more confident now in sharing his ideas and thoughts with others and that he will not hesitate doing so going forward, which I feel is so liberating for a child."
@isro "These small gestures might seem small to the world at large, but for a 5 year old, its a big deal and it only affirms his beliefs and his attitude to making things happen."
@isro Sometimes it is stories like this that remind us of the younger versions of ourselves who were drawn to the magic of science. Here is Ayan Ranade. Thank you Anusha for allowing me to share this story.
