Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, August 23, greeted citizens on National Space Day, highlighting India’s achievements in space exploration and calling for greater innovation and ambition as the country continues to expand its space capabilities.
“Happy National Space Day! Here’s to dreaming even bigger, innovating more and pushing newer frontiers….,” PM Modi said in a post on X.
On the occasion, PM Modi also met heads of Indian space startups and praised their energy and ambition. He said he was impressed by their outlook and invited people to share what excites them most about India’s space journey.
PM Modi highlights India’s growing space ambitions
PM Modi’s message underlined the importance of continued innovation and technological development in India’s space sector.
The country’s space ecosystem has expanded in recent years, with private companies and startups playing a growing role alongside government institutions. These companies are working across areas such as satellite technology, launch systems and other space-related applications.
PM Modi’s interaction with startup representatives also highlighted the government’s focus on encouraging private participation and creating opportunities for young innovators in the sector.
The Prime Minister has repeatedly emphasised the importance of scientific research, innovation and advanced technology in strengthening India’s capabilities in space.
Amit Shah recalls Chandrayaan-3 achievement
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also greeted citizens on National Space Day and recalled the historic Chandrayaan-3 mission.
“Warm greetings to every citizen on #NationalSpaceDay. It is a momentous day that marks the occasion when India’s Chandrayaan-3 touched down on the Moon’s South Pole, and celebrates our scientists at ISRO for making an indelible imprint of their genius on the sands of time,” Shah said in a post on X.
Shah also praised Indian space scientists and engineers for their contribution to the country’s space programme. He said the achievement provided an inspirational foundation for young Indians to pursue new heights in space exploration.
Chandrayaan-3 made history on August 23, 2023
National Space Day is observed on August 23 to commemorate the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon in 2023.
The mission’s Vikram lander made a controlled soft landing on the lunar surface on August 23, 2023. The Pragyan rover was subsequently deployed to carry out scientific experiments and study the lunar surface.
The achievement marked a major milestone for India’s space programme. India became the fourth country to successfully achieve a soft landing on the Moon and the first to land in the lunar south polar region.
The successful mission followed India’s earlier lunar exploration efforts and demonstrated the country’s growing capabilities in space technology.
National Space Day celebrates India’s space journey
National Space Day not only commemorates the Chandrayaan-3 landing but also seeks to encourage greater interest in space science, technology and innovation.
The messages from PM Modi and Amit Shah highlighted India’s continuing focus on scientific research and technological advancement. The expanding participation of startups and private companies is also becoming an important part of the country’s space ecosystem.
As India prepares for more ambitious missions and seeks to strengthen its position in the global space sector, PM Modi’s call to “dream even bigger” reflects the broader emphasis on innovation and pushing the boundaries of India’s space capabilities.