Bengaluru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his greetings to ISRO scientists today and declared August 23 as National Space Day to mark the landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon.
During his address at the Indian Space Research Organisation’s command centre in Bengaluru, PM Modi announced that the Vikram lander’s touchdown point would from now onwards known as the ‘Shivshakti’ point, while the Lunar landing point of the Chandrayaan-2 will be called the ‘Tiranga’ point.
“This will be inspiration for every effort made by India. It will remind us any failure is not final,” PM Modi said.
A visibly emotional Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed scientists at the Indian Space Research organisation’s command centre in Bengaluru, who were involved in the Chandrayaan-3 mission and lauded them for their efforts.
“On August 23rd, India hoisted the flag on the Moon. From now onwards, that day will be known as National Space Day in India”, said PM Modi “Today, I am very feeling a new kind of happiness among you,” a beaming PM added.
“Such kind of happiness… these are very rare occasions when the whole body and soul is drenched in happiness,” PM Modi said while addressing the scientists at ISRO’s Telemetry Tracking and Command Network Mission Control Complex in Bengaluru. He said the scientists had taken the Make In India initiative to the Moon, referring to the boost to indigenous productions due to Chandrayaan 3’s success.
PM Modi revealed that despite being on a two-nation tour to South Africa and Greece, his thoughts remained firmly with the scientists. He admitted, “I could not stop myself as I was not in the country, but I decided to visit Bengaluru first and meet our scientists right after visiting India,” he said as the scientists cheered and broke into applause.
This morning, as the Prime Minister arrived at the ISRO headquarters, he received a warm reception. He engaged with the team of scientists involved in the Chandrayaan-3 mission, sharing an embracing moment with ISRO chief Somanath. People holding posters and the national flag congregated outside the airport, extending a warm welcome to PM Narendra Modi. Upon landing at Bengaluru’s HAL airport, he greeted the gathered crowd and chanted ‘Jai Vigyan Jai Anusandhan’.
India entered record books as the first country to successfully place a lander on the unexplored lunar South Pole on Wednesday evening.
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