Mission ‘Chandrayaan-3’ has emerged as the symbol of the spirit of a ‘New India’, which wants to emerge victorious under any circumstances, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in the latest edition of his monthly radio broadcast — ‘Mann Ki Baat’ — on Sunday.
India entered the record books as the first country to successfully place a lander on the Moon’s uncharted South Pole last week and the successful conduct of what was the maiden lunar landing mission of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) also put India in an elite club of nations featuring the US, Russia, and China.
In his radio programme, the Prime Minister spoke on a range of issues including the country’s big strides in the field of sports as also the prestigious forthcoming G-20 Summit in the national Capital.
The main focus of his talk, however, remained the historic soft landing of the Vikram space module on the South Pole of the Moon.
“On August 23, our Chandrayaan-3 mission proved to the world that the dawn of revolution and resolve can also light up the dark side of the Moon. Mission Chandrayaan has become a symbol and the spirit of a ‘New India.’ This is an India, which wants to emerge victorious at all costs. It wants to break new grounds regardless of the circumstances,” Modi said. “India wants to break new grounds regardless of the circumstances,” said the Prime Minister. Without referring to the Opposition parties’ comments on the issue, Modi said a discussion on India’s maiden lunar landing mission would struggle to do justice to the enormity of its success.
“The success of Chandrayaan-3 has seen the entire country immerse itself in unbridled celebrations. It has been more than three days since our lunar lander, ‘Vikram’, touched down on the Moon’s surface. Such is the enormity of the mission’s success that any discussion on it seems futile,” Modi said. The PM also lauded the key role played by the women scientists at ISRO.
“The key role played by ISRO’s women scientists in the successful conduct of the daunting lunar landing mission is a classic illustration of women power. India’s daughters are not only shattering glass ceilings but also challenging Space, which is considered ‘infinite. Many women scientists and engineers were directly involved with this mission. They handled vital responsibilities such as those of a project director and project manager,” he said. The Chandrayaan-3 mission of ISRO is estimated to have involved over hundred women scientists.
Also lauding the contribution of other sectors for the success of Chandrayaan-3, Modi said, “Today, our dreams are big and so are the efforts to realise them. Along with our scientists, other sectors also contributed to the success of Chandrayaan-3. Many of my fellow countrymen contributed to the mission by meeting the technical requirements. It took everyone’s efforts and contributions to make this mission a success. This is the biggest success of our mission.”
Modi also spoke about the September 9-10 meeting of G-20 in New Delhi and said next month the world is going to witness the potential of India.
Heads of 40 countries and many global organisations are coming to the national Capital to participate in the event.
“This will be the biggest participation ever, in the history of the G-20 Summit. During her presidency, India has made G-20 a more inclusive forum. The African Union also joined the G-20 on India’s invitation and the voice of the people of Africa reached this important platform of the world. Friends, since India took over the presidency of the G-20 in Bali last year, so much has happened that it fills us with pride”, he said.
“Moving away from the tradition of holding big events in Delhi, we took them to different cities. About 200 meetings related to this were organised in 60 cities across the country. Wherever the G-20 Delegates went, people warmly welcomed them. These delegates were very impressed, seeing the diversity of our country and our vibrant democracy,” he said.
“They also realised that there are so many possibilities in India,” he said. “Our presidency of the G-20 is a People’s Presidency, in which the spirit of public participation is at the forefront. Among the 11 Engagement Groups of G-20, i.e. academia, civil society, youth, women, our parliamentarians, entrepreneurs and people associated with urban administration played an important role. In one way or the other, more than 1.5 crore people are associated with the events being organised across the country regarding this. In this effort of ours for public participation, not just one, but two world records have also been created. The participation of 1.25 lakh students from 800 schools in the G-20 Quiz held in Varanasi became a new world record”, said Modi.
“At the same time Lambani artisans also did wonders as 450 artisans have showcased their skill and craftsmanship by creating an amazing collection of around 1,800 unique patches. Every representative who came to the G-20 was amazed to see the artistic diversity of our country.
“One such grand program was organised in Surat and 15,000 women from 15 States participated in the ‘Saree Walkathon’ held there. This program not only gave a boost to Surat’s textile industry, ‘Vocal for Local’ also got a fillip and paved the way for ‘Local to become Global’” said the Prime Minister. “I urge all countrymen to come together to make the G-20 summit successful and bring glory to the country”, he said.
Speaking about the potential of the young generation Modi said, “Sports is one area where our youth are continuously achieving new successes.”
A few days ago the World University Games were held in China. India displayed her best-ever performance in these games this time. “Our players won 26 medals in all, out of which 11 were Gold Medals. Even if we add all the medals won in all the World University Games that have been held since 1959, this number reaches only 18. In all these decades (we won) just 18 whereas this, time our players won 26 medals,” he stressed.
He also spoke with sportspersons, students who have won medals in the World University Games.