S Somanath, the head of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has opened up about his recent struggle with stomach cancer. In an interview with Tarmak Media House, he disclosed that he was diagnosed with the disease during the launch of the Aditya L1 mission in September 2023. Despite the shocking diagnosis, Somanath has successfully overcome the illness and returned to work just four days after hospitalization.
The revelation came to light on March 3rd, 2024 when Somanath shared details of his health journey. He recounted that on the very day of the Aditya L1 launch, he underwent a scan which uncovered a growth in his stomach. Reflecting on the Chandrayaan-3 mission launch earlier, he admitted experiencing health issues but was unaware of their seriousness at the time.
Following the Aditya L1 launch, further scans in Chennai confirmed the presence of a hereditary disease, presenting significant health challenges for Somanath. He described the discovery as a shock for his family but approached his cancer treatment positively, seeing it as a solution despite initial uncertainties about a complete cure.
Somanath underwent surgery followed by chemotherapy, achieving a remarkable recovery that astounded medical professionals. Remarkably, he spent only four days in the hospital before returning to his duties at ISRO. He emphasized his commitment to regular check-ups and scans but declared himself completely cured and ready to resume his responsibilities.
The ISRO chief expressed gratitude for the support of his family during the challenging period and acknowledged the difficulty of the experience for both him and his loved ones. Despite the adversity, Somanath’s swift recovery stands as a testament to his resilience and determination to continue contributing to India’s space exploration efforts.
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