Chandrayaan-3: Virtual Lunar Landing Attempt to be Witnessed by PM Modi from South Africa
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will Watch Virtually as India Aims for Lunar History
Johannesburg, South Africa: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently in South Africa for the 15th BRICS Summit, but his attention is divided as he will virtually witness an extraordinary event – India’s ambitious Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission attempting a historic landing on the uncharted south pole of the Moon. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has scheduled the daring soft-landing maneuver for 18:04 hrs IST, and the world waits with bated breath.
Chandrayaan-3, the third lunar mission by India, has captured global attention and garnered widespread support. The anticipation is not just confined to India; it’s a sentiment shared across the world. Messages of encouragement and well wishes have flooded in as Wednesday marks the significant landing attempt.
In a heartwarming display of unity, Indian students and research scholars in Uxbridge, London, gathered at the Adya Shakti Mataji Temple to offer special prayers for the safe and successful landing of Chandrayaan-3. Similarly, the Indian diaspora in Virginia, US, conducted a ‘havan’ ceremony at a temple to invoke blessings for the mission’s success.
The enthusiasm is equally fervent within India. From performing a Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan Ghat in Rishikesh to conducting ‘havan’ rituals in Bhubaneswar, Varanasi, and Prayagraj, people are coming together to support this historic endeavour. Even the youngest citizens of India are involved, as a group of children in Vadodara offered their prayers for the safe landing of Chandrayaan-3.
The sense of unity transcends religious lines as well. In Lucknow, people gathered at the Islamic Centre of India to offer namaz, expressing their hopes for the mission’s success.
The live telecast of the landing operations is set to begin at 5:20 PM IST on Wednesday. Viewers can tune into the ISRO website, YouTube channel, Facebook, and DD National TV to witness the gripping moments as they unfold. Starting from 5:27 PM IST on August 23, 2023, the live actions of the landing will be available on these platforms, ensuring that the world can be part of this historic event.
If Chandrayaan-3 successfully achieves its goal, India will join an exclusive club of countries that have accomplished lunar landings: the United States, Russia, and China. However, what sets India apart is that it will become the first nation to land on the lunar south pole, an unexplored and challenging territory.
Chandrayaan-3’s Lander Module, consisting of the lander Vikram and rover Pragyan, is primed for a touchdown near the moon’s south pole. This attempt represents a leap forward not only in India’s space exploration but also in the global scientific understanding of the Moon’s lesser-known regions.
As the clock ticks closer to the monumental moment, the collective prayers, hopes, and aspirations of people from various corners of the world and diverse walks of life converge. The Chandrayaan-3 mission exemplifies human curiosity, determination, and collaboration, reminding us that exploration knows no boundaries.
In a world often divided by differences, this mission unites humanity under a common goal – to push the limits of knowledge and discovery. While the challenges are great, the spirit of exploration is greater. And as the world witnesses this bold endeavour, we are reminded of our potential to reach for the stars, quite literally.