Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: In a stellar event that sent ripples of excitement across the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi touched down at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC), propelling India’s space ambitions sky-high. During his visit, the PM inaugurated three monumental space infrastructure projects, with a combined worth of about Rs 1800 crores, fueling the country’s journey into the cosmic realm.
The Prime Minister didn’t just stop at inaugurations. In a gesture that has captured the imagination of the country, he awarded ‘astronaut wings’ to four astronaut-designates, marking a historic moment in India’s space odyssey. The anointed astronauts, Group Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap, and Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla, are now the nation’s new space pioneers, carrying the hopes of 140 crore Indians.
Addressing an enraptured audience, PM Modi’s speech was a tapestry of vision and aspiration. He heralded the beginning of a new ‘Kaal Chakra’ where India’s growing space prowess is making a mark on the global stage. The PM’s words painted a picture of a nation on the cusp of astronomical achievements, with the four astronaut-designates embodying the pillars of trust, courage, valor, and discipline.
He reminisced about India’s lunar expeditions, including the country’s landmark achievement of landing on the Moon’s South Pole. In a future-gazing statement, the PM envisioned an Indian astronaut landing on the Moon in an Indian rocket during this ‘Amrit Kaal’.
The inauguration of the PSLV Integration Facility (PIF) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota; the ‘Semi-cryogenics Integrated Engine and Stage Test facility’ at the ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri; and the ‘Trisonic Wind Tunnel’ at VSSC, Thiruvananthapuram, are set to bolster India’s space capabilities significantly.
The PM also reviewed the progress of the Gaganyaan Mission, India’s ambitious manned spaceflight program. Emphasizing the role of ‘Nari Shakti’, he highlighted the pivotal contribution of women in the space sector, with over 500 in leadership roles at ISRO.
PM Modi’s visit and announcements have injected new vigor into India’s space ambitions, aligning with his vision of transforming the country into a global space hub. As India aspires to become a top-3 global economy, its space sector, too, is poised to reach new heights, with PM Modi affirming that India’s space economy is expected to grow five-fold to 44 billion dollars in the next decade.
The event concluded on a high note, with the Prime Minister and other dignitaries including Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan and Chief Minister Pinrayii Vijayan, acknowledging the bright future of India’s space endeavors. With these developments, India’s space saga is not just about rockets and satellites; it’s a journey of national pride, scientific curiosity, and boundless dreams, soaring into the cosmos.
