“I apologise for the inconvenience”, US astronaut Neil Armstrong told Indira Gandhi when informed that the Indian Prime Minister had kept awake till 4:30 am to watch him land on the moon on July 20, 1969.

This anecdote about the celebrated astronaut, who died two days ago, was recalled here by former External Affairs Minister K.Natwar Singh who was present when Armstrong and his fellow astronaut met Indira Gandhi in New Delhi as part of their world tour after their moon landing.

K.Natwar Singh, who conducted the two heroes into Indira Gandhi’s room at her Parliament House office, recalled that the then US ambassador was also present. After photographers snapped the two astronauts with the Prime Minister and left the room, there was an awkward silence.

On being signalled by Mrs Gandhi to speak, K.Natwar Singh said, “Mr Armstrong, you will be interested to know that the Prime Minister kept awake till 4.30 am, so as not to miss the exact time of your lunar landing.”

K.Natwar Singh recalled that Neil Armstrong rose to the occasion, and said, “I apologise for the inconvenience we caused you, Madame Prime Minister. Next time, I shall make sure that we land on the moon at a less unearthly hour.”

July 20, 1969 became a watershed date in the history of mankind after Neil Armstrong, commanding the Apollo 11 spacecraft landed on the moon, and accompanied by fellow astronaut Aldrin spent nearly three hours walking on the moon.

After the Apollo 11’s moon mission, Neil Armstrong announced that he did not plan to fly in space again.

Neil Armstrong died on August 25 at the age of 82.

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