Bengaluru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday visited the ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) in Bengaluru after his arrival from Greece and addressed Team ISRO on the success of Chandrayaan-3.
PM Modi met and interacted with ISRO scientists involved in the Chandrayaan-3 mission where he was also briefed about the findings and progress in the Chandrayaan-3 Mission.
He also made three big announcements on the occasion, while giving a highly emotional speech to ISR heroes and scientists.
PM Modi announced the point where the moon lander of Chandrayaan-3 landed will now be known as Shiv Shakti.
“In Shiv, there is a resolution for the welfare of humanity and Shakti gives us strength to fulfil those resolutions. This Shiv Shakti Point of the moon also gives a sense of connection with the Himalayas to Kanyakumari,” he said.
Emphasising the welfare core of the pursuit of science, the Prime Minister said these pious resolutions need the blessings of Shakti and that Shakti is the Nari Shakti.
“In the success of Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission, our women scientists, the country’s Nari Shakti have played a big role, ” he emphasised.
Modi remarked. “Shiv Shakti Point of the Moon will bear witness to this scientific and philosophical thinking of India,” he added.
The Prime Minister stated that the point where Chandrayaan 2 left its footprints will now be called Tiraga. This point, he said, will serve as an inspiration for every effort that India makes and remind us that failure is not the end. “Success is a guarantee where there is strong willpower,” he said.
PM Modi also declared that 23rd August, the day of the soft landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon will be commemorated as National Space Day.
He said National Space Day will celebrate the spirit of Science, Technology and Innovation, and inspire us for an eternity.
Observing the inconvenience caused to the scientists at ISRO due to his impromptu plans to visit the ISTRAC, a visibly emotional Prime Minister said he was eager to visit and salute the scientists for their diligence, dedication, courage, devotion and passion.
Modi said this is not a simple success, but heralds India’s scientific power in infinite space.
An elated PM exclaimed, “India is on the Moon, We have our national pride placed on the Moon.”
Highlighting this unprecedented achievement, Modi said “This is today’s India that is fearless and relentless. This is an India that thinks new and in a novel way, the one that goes to the dark zone and spreads light in the world. This India will provide solutions to the big problems of the world in the 21st century.”
The Prime Minister said the moment of the touchdown has become immortal in the consciousness of the nation. “The moment of touchdown is one of the most inspiring moments of this century. Every Indian took it as his or her own victory,” he said.
Modi credited the scientists for this grand success.
The Prime Minister, describing the photographs of the strong footings of the Moon lander said, “Our ‘Moon Lander’ has firmly set its foot on the Moon like Angad … On the one side is the valour of Vikram then there is bravery of Pragyan on the other.”
He said these are pictures of the never seen parts of the moon and this has been done by India. The entire world recognizes India’s scientific spirit, technology and temperament.
“The success of Chandrayaan 3 is not just India’s alone but it belongs to all of humanity”, the Prime Minister remarked and underlined that the explorations of the mission will open new doors of possibilities for moon missions of every country.
He stated that the mission would not only unravel the secrets of the moon but also contribute to overcoming the challenges on Earth. The Prime Minister once again congratulated every scientist, technician, engineer and all members associated with Chandrayaan 3 Mission.
Emphasising that India has become only the fourth nation to have a successful touchdown on the surface of the Moon, PM Modi said the feat becomes more immense when people consider the humble beginnings of India’s space programme.
He recalled the times when India was considered a third-world country and did not have the required technology and support.
Today, PM Modi said India has become the fifth largest economy in the world and it is now among the first-world countries be it trees or technology.
“In the journey from ‘third row’ to ‘first row’, institutions like our ISRO have played a huge role,” Modi exclaimed as he highlighted its contributions and said that they have taken Make In India to the Moon today.
PM Modi took the occasion to convey the hard work of ISRO to the countrymen.
“From Southern India to the South of the Moon, this was not an easy journey,” the Prime Minister said and informed that ISRO even created an artificial moon in its research facility.
Modi credited the zeal for innovation and science among the youth of India to the successes of such space missions.
“Successes of Mangalyaan and Chandrayaan and preparation for Gaganyaan have given a new attitude to the young generation of the country. Your big achievement is awakening a generation of Indians and energising that,” he said.
Today, the name Chandrayaan resonates among children of India. Every child is seeing his or her future in the sciences, he said.
PM Modi also expressed great delight in being present at ISTRAC and said such an occasion is extremely rare when the body and mind get filled with such happiness.
Referring to the few special moments in everyone’s lives when impatience starts to dominate, Modi noted that he experienced the same emotions during his tour to South Africa and Greece and said his mind was focused on the Chandrayaan 3 Mission at all times.
After landing in Bengaluru from his tour of South Africa and Greece, PM Modi addressed people chanting “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan, Jai Anusandhan.”
He said the picture he saw in Bengaluru, is the same picture he saw in Greece and Johannesburg as well.
He added, “It’s really surprising that you all are here and even kids are also here too early in the morning.”
Local performers were seen dancing and playing dhol on the streets in front of HAL airport.
People were seen excitedly waving the national flag and posters made for the PM’s arrival and to celebrate the over-the-moon success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission.
After the US, China and Russia, India achieved a significant milestone by becoming the fourth country to achieve a successful Moon landing.
The mission was launched on July 14 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre situated in Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.
