Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla made every Indian proud by unfurling the national flag aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
The Prime Minister was addressing the nation on National Space Day, observed annually on 23 August to mark the success of Chandrayaan-3.
The mission had placed India among the world’s elite by becoming the first to land at the Moon’s South Pole in 2023, and the fourth nation after the US, Russia, and China to achieve a soft lunar landing.
“We have become the fourth country in the world to have the capability of docking and undocking in space. Just three days ago, I met Group Captain Shukla. He filled every Indian with pride by hoisting the Tiranga (tricolour) at the International Space Station,” PM Modi stated, adding that the moment was beyond words.
On 26 June, Shukla entered history books as the first Indian to reach the ISS, flying as part of Axiom Space’s Mission 4.
Sharing details of their meeting, PM Modi further asserted, “In my discussion with Group Captain Shukla, I have seen the boundless courage and infinite dreams of the youth of the new India. To take these dreams forward, we are also going to prepare India’s own Astronaut Pool. Today, on Space Day, I invite my young friends to join this Astronaut Pool to give wings to India’s dreams.”
Looking ahead, the Prime Minister said India must now go beyond the Moon and Mars to explore deeper into space.
“Beyond galaxies lies our horizon,” he remarked, stressing that unexplored regions hold crucial answers for humanity.
PM Modi further added that National Space Day has, in a short time, become a source of excitement for India’s youth and assured that the country’s space journey will scale new heights.
He also underlined how space technology is increasingly integrated into governance, from crop insurance assessments and satellite alerts for fishermen to disaster management and the PM Gati Shakti Master Plan.
Highlighting the benefits for everyday citizens, Prime Minister Modi further said India’s progress in space is directly improving lives.
He noted that a National Meet 2.0, organised on Friday to boost space-tech use across central and state governments, and urged startups to design innovative solutions for public service.
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