New Delhi (Agency): A moment of pride and historical significance for India unfolded as the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) successfully achieved a soft landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the moon’s lunar south pole. The achievement was celebrated on Thursday when Karnataka’s Chief Minister Siddaramaiah felicitated ISRO Chief S Somanath at the ISRO center at Peenya.
The Chief Minister’s visit was filled with appreciation and acknowledgment of the hard work put in by the scientists. He also extended his wishes to all the scientists and staff who contributed to the mission’s success. Speaking to reporters after the visit, CM Siddaramaiah said, “I am very happy because our country has achieved this, and it’s a historical achievement. Landing on the moon is not a small thing; it’s a very big achievement. They have been working for many years, and nearly 500 scientists were working on it.”
Siddaramaiah further announced that the ISRO scientists, including Chairman Somanath, would be honored at Vidhan Soudha in Bengaluru, underscoring the state’s recognition of the significance of the achievement.
Deputy CM DK Shivakumar also expressed pride in the achievement, saying, “I am very proud to see the great moment which has created history in Indian science. India has shown that it is the knowledge capital of the world. The entire team has worked for this success story…We are very proud of this great moment. We all shared the joy. The next generation will definitely take it forward.”
After a 40-day journey into space, the Chandrayaan-3 lander, named ‘Vikram,’ touched down on the unexplored lunar South Pole on Wednesday evening. This remarkable feat makes India the first country to land in this region of the moon and only the fourth nation after the US, Russia, and China to successfully conduct a lunar landing mission.
The Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft’s careful positioning of the Vikram lander on the lunar surface, tilting to a horizontal position ahead of landing, marked a precise and skillful execution. Launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh’s Sriharikota on July 14, the mission’s success represents a significant milestone for Indian space exploration.
The triumph of Chandrayaan-3 is more than a technological feat; it symbolizes India’s growing prowess in space science and strengthens its position on the global stage. The excitement and pride expressed by the country’s leaders reflect the collective joy of the nation, and the celebration of this success serves as an inspiration for the next generation of scientists, engineers, and dreamers.
