Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a significant visit to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) headquarters in Bengaluru on Saturday, where he met the brilliant minds behind the triumphant Chandrayaan-3 mission. The Prime Minister’s arrival was greeted with warmth and enthusiasm by the ISRO community.
A Briefing on Chandrayaan-3’s Journey
During his visit, PM Modi was given a comprehensive briefing by ISRO Chairman S Somanath on the remarkable journey of the Chandrayaan-3 Mission. The presentation shed light on the dedicated efforts invested by the scientific community to bring this ambitious project to fruition.
Warm Greetings and Slogan for Science
Before engaging with the ISRO scientists, Prime Minister Modi shared his enthusiasm for science with the slogan ‘Jai Vigyan Jai Anusandhan’. He extended his greetings to the people of Bengaluru outside the HAL airport upon his arrival.
Heartfelt Commitment to ISRO
Expressing his commitment to the nation’s scientific endeavors, PM Modi stated, “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.”
Key Highlights of the Visit
PM Modi’s interaction with ISRO encompassed several key highlights:
National Space Day: PM Modi announced that August 23 will be celebrated as ‘National Space Day’ in honor of the successful touchdown of the Chandrayaan-3 mission’s lander. This date holds significance in marking India’s achievements in space exploration.
Shared Emotion: While PM Modi was abroad attending a global conference, his heart remained in India and with the dedicated scientists at ISRO.
Desire to Connect: The Prime Minister expressed his strong eagerness to meet the ISRO scientists behind the Chandrayaan-3 mission as soon as he returned to India after his international engagements.
Celebrating Unprecedented Success: During his address, PM Modi commended the extraordinary success achieved by the Chandrayaan-3 mission. He highlighted how this mission had enabled India to venture into previously uncharted territories.
Innovative Indian Spirit: In the wake of Chandrayaan-3’s triumph, PM Modi expressed confidence that India’s innovative and unique approach would be instrumental in tackling even more complex global challenges.
Naming the Landing Site: PM Modi revealed that the spot where Chandrayaan-3’s lander touched down on the Moon would now be known as ‘Shivshakti’, marking a symbolic connection to India’s rich heritage.
Artificial Moon and ‘Tiranga Point’: The Prime Minister lauded ISRO’s scientific prowess, highlighting that scientists had constructed an artificial Moon to test the lander’s soft landing. He also announced that the location where Chandrayaan-2 made its indelible mark on the Lunar surface in 2019 would be named ‘Tiranga Point’.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit not only celebrated ISRO’s remarkable achievements but also reinforced India’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of space exploration and scientific innovation.
