In a monumental day for India’s space sector, the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, joined the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) team through a Video Conferencing (VC) session to witness the historic landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the moon’s South Pole.
Following the successful landing, an elated Prime Minister addressed the team and the nation, hailing this achievement as a moment of capability and the confidence of India’s new energy. Speaking to the scientists as family members, he remarked, “This is a moment of the capability of the 140 crore heartbeats and the confidence of the new energy of India.” He added, “In the first light of ‘Amrit Kaal’, this is ‘Amrit Varsha’ of success.”
Despite attending the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, Prime Minister Modi’s attention was fixed on Chandrayaan-3, like that of every Indian. He expressed the national sentiment of celebration, saying every Indian was immersed in festivity.
Highlighting the historical significance, he stated, “India has reached the South Pole of the Moon where no country in the world could reach to date with the dedication and talent of our scientists.” He reflected on how this mission would change myths and stories related to the moon and jokingly referred to a day when children would say “Chanda Mama ek tour ke,” meaning the moon is only a tour away.
Addressing the international community, Prime Minister Modi emphasized that India’s moon mission was not India’s alone but a success that belonged to all of humanity. He linked the mission’s human-centric approach to India’s global stance of “One Earth, One Family, One Future.”
The Prime Minister expressed confidence in the capabilities of all countries, including those from the Global South, to achieve such feats and aspire for the moon and beyond. He underlined India’s approach as a pathway for future moon missions by other nations.
Looking towards the future, Shri Modi mentioned India’s ambitious goals, including ISRO’s upcoming ‘Aditya L-1’ mission to study the Sun and the focus on Venus. He reiterated India’s readiness for its first human space flight mission, Mission Gaganyaan, proclaiming, “India is proving again and again that the sky is not the limit.”
Prime Minister Modi concluded his address by emphasizing the vital role of science and technology in shaping India’s bright future. He said that the day would inspire everyone to move towards a bright future and serve as a lesson in achieving victory from defeat.
Reflecting the joy and pride of a nation, the Prime Minister’s Office and Shri Narendra Modi himself tweeted congratulations, marking this day as historic for India’s space sector.