More than 100 dedicated employees, including diligent engineers, from the beleaguered Ranchi-based Heavy Engineering Corporation (HEC) are embarking on a mission of protest in the heart of New Delhi. Armed not with rockets, but with cut-out replicas of Chandrayaan-3, they’re set to stage a demonstration on September 21, 2023 echoing the silence of 18 long months without salaries.
These unsung heroes of HEC are not merely the victims of financial negligence; they are the architects of India’s dreams reaching for the moon. They proudly claim their contribution in crafting the very foundations of ISRO’s second launching pad used for Chandrayaan-3. Imagine, a cadre of engineers responsible for constructing the intricate 400/60 EOT crane, the towering 200/30T EOT crane, the tenacious 10 Ton hammerhead tower crane, the futuristic FCVRP (folding cum vertical repositionable platform), the secret-keeping horizontal sliding door, and the mobile launching pedestal that launched India’s dreams into the cosmos.
Yet, despite their accomplishments and vital role in propelling India’s space ambitions, their wallets remain lighter than moon dust. The cries of these engineers resonate like distant echoes from the lunar surface, demanding the one thing they’ve earned and are rightfully owed – their overdue salaries.
While their cut-out replicas of Chandrayaan-3 may not take them to the moon, they serve as poignant symbols of their dedication and a stark reminder that even the grandest missions on Earth and in space depend on the dedication of its unsung heroes. As they descend upon Delhi, let their cry reach the heavens – for engineers are the backbone of innovation, and their earthly struggles deserve recognition and resolution.
