PM Modi Declares August 23 as ‘National Space Day’ to Honor ISRO’s Triumph
In a momentous announcement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi proclaimed August 23 as ‘National Space Day’, a day to celebrate India’s remarkable achievements in space exploration. The decision came after the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3’s lander, Vikram, on the lunar south pole on that very day. PM Modi’s address was filled with admiration for the dedicated scientists at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) who made this feat possible.
During his visit to the ISRO command centre in Bengaluru, PM Modi expressed his gratitude and congratulations to the ISRO team for their perseverance and expertise. He particularly hailed the efforts of the women scientists who played a vital role in Chandrayaan-3’s triumphant mission. To commemorate the significance of this achievement, PM Modi announced that the exact location where Vikram landed on the moon would be named ‘Shivshakti’. This gesture aims to inspire future generations to embrace science for the betterment of society.
“The welfare of people is our supreme commitment,” PM Modi emphasized, highlighting the importance of scientific advancements for the benefit of society. He further designated the point of Chandrayaan-2’s impact on the moon as the ‘Tiranga’ point, a symbol of national pride.
PM Modi underscored the role of science and technology in shaping a nation’s destiny. He proclaimed that the country that forges ahead in these fields will etch its name in history. He asserted that the younger generation’s involvement in science, technology, and space exploration is crucial for India’s progress. Hence, August 23, the day Chandrayaan-3 successfully landed on the moon, will now be celebrated as National Space Day.
“This is today’s India, the bold and brave India,” PM Modi stated with pride, celebrating India’s groundbreaking accomplishment. He lauded the ISRO scientists for extending the ‘Make In India’ initiative to the lunar surface through the success of Chandrayaan-3. This initiative promotes indigenous production and innovation, which were evident in the mission’s achievements.
While physically present in Bengaluru, PM Modi virtually attended the Chandrayaan-3 landing event. He congratulated ISRO chairman S Somanath and his dedicated team for the historic achievement of being the first country to achieve a soft landing on the moon’s south pole region.
Chandrayaan-3, a follow-up to the 2019 Chandrayaan-2 mission, aimed to accomplish three key objectives. First, it sought to demonstrate a safe and gentle landing on the moon’s surface, which had eluded the Chandrayaan-2 mission. Second, it aimed to showcase the rover’s ability to traverse the lunar terrain. Lastly, the mission aimed to conduct in-situ scientific experiments, providing valuable insights into the moon’s composition and environment.
On August 23, at 6:04 PM, ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 achieved a successful landing on the moon. Over the next two weeks, the craft’s lander (Vikram) and rover (Pragyan) will conduct a series of experiments on the lunar surface. Notably, the Pragyan rover, on Friday, covered a distance of 8 meters on the moon’s surface.
Despite the soft-landing setback in Chandrayaan-2, ISRO effectively placed the orbiter in orbit around the moon, continuing to relay important information back to Earth. This accomplishment marked India as one of the top nations to achieve a soft landing on the lunar surface and the first to reach the moon’s unexplored south pole.
In summary, PM Modi’s declaration of August 23 as ‘National Space Day’ signifies India’s remarkable achievement in space exploration. The success of Chandrayaan-3’s soft landing on the moon’s south pole stands as a testament to the dedication and expertise of ISRO scientists. The Prime Minister’s acknowledgment of women scientists and his announcement of symbolic names for the landing points on the moon further emphasize India’s commitment to scientific progress and national pride. The achievement not only cements India’s position among spacefaring nations but also inspires future generations to embrace the wonders of science and technology.