Bengaluru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the scientists of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at the space agency’s headquarters in Bengaluru for the success of India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission. He named the landing site of the Vikram Lander ‘Shivshakti’ and the footprints of the Chandrayaan-2 ‘Tiranga’.
The prime minister arrived in Bengaluru early on Saturday to meet and address the team of ISRO scientists involved in the Chandrayaan-3 mission. He said that India achieved something that nobody had done before, “India is on the moon”. He said that the national pride has been placed on the moon, adding that, this is the new India.
He thanked the scientists and their team for their hard work in making the mission a success, and said, “I salute your hard work, salute your dedication, and your team.”
He declared 23rd August as National Space Day in India, as it was the day when India hoisted the flag on the Moon.
He said that the spot on the lunar surface where the Chandrayaan-2 left its footprints will be known as ‘Tiranga’. He said that this would be an inspiration for every effort made by India. It will remind us that any failure is not final.
He expressed his happiness over the nation’s reaction to the landing of the Vikram Lander, and said, “Every Indian felt like they passed a big exam.”
He said that till today, the nation has been receiving congratulatory messages for the success of its moon mission, Chandrayaan-3, adding that, all this is because of the scientists.
He appreciated the role of women scientists in the mission’s success, and said, “Women scientists played a key role in Chandrayaan 3…this ‘Shivshakti’ point will inspire the upcoming generations to use science for the welfare of people. The welfare of people is our supreme commitment.”
He highlighted the contribution of the nation’s space industry, and said that according to experts, “India’s space industry will become $16 billion from $8 billion”.
He urged to excavate India’s buried chest of knowledge and science in the Azadi ka Amrit Kaal.
He said that the success of ISRO’s lunar mission is not just that of India but of the whole of humanity.
