PM declares Aug 23 as National Space Day, says touchdown spot will be known as ‘Shivshakti’ point

BENGALURU: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced that August 23 will be celebrated as National Space Day to mark Chandrayaan-3’s landing on the Moon.

PM Modi also announced that the touchdown spot of the Vikram lander on the lunar surface will from now onwards be known as the ‘Shivshakti’ point while the Chandrayaan-2 Lunar landing point will be called the ‘Tiranga’ point.

“This will be an inspiration for every effort made by India. it will remind us any failure is not final…”, PM Modi said. A visibly emotional Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed scientists at the Indian Space Research Organisation’s command centre in Bengaluru, who were involved in the Chandrayaan-3 mission and lauded them for their efforts.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi waving to the crowd that had gathered nera Jalahalli on Saturday morning.

“On August 23, India hoisted the flag on the Moon. From now onwards, that day will be known as National Space Day in India”, said PM Modi. “Today, I am very feeling a new kind of happiness among you”, a beaming PM added.

“Such kind of happiness… these are very rare occasions when the whole body and soul is drenched in happiness”,” PM Modi said while addressing the scientists at Isro’s Telemetry Tracking and Command Network Mission Control Complex in Bengaluru.

People had lined up along the road in Jalahalli to greet the PM.

He said the scientists had taken the Make In India initiative to the Moon, referring to the boost to indigenous productions due to Chandrayaan 3’s success. He said he was on a two-nation visit to South Africa and Greece, but his mind was completely with the scientists.

He said that he wanted to salute the scientists as soon as possible. “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”, he said as the scientists cheered and broke into applause.

“…I can see before my eyes every second of that day of August 23…” PM Modi said recalling the final 15 challenging minutes of the Chandrayaan-3. “I salute your dedication. I salute your patience. I salute your hard work. I salute your inspiration,” said PM Modi as he turned emotional.

BJP state president Nalin Kumar Kateel, party leaders Muniratna Naidu and S R Vishwanath were among those who had lined up to greet the PM.

The PM was accorded a warm reception as he arrived at the Isro headquarters this morning. He met the team of scientists involved in the country’s third lunar mission — Chandrayaan-3 and enveloped ISRO chief Somanath in a hug.

Locals with posters and the national flag had gathered on the streets outside the HAL airport to welcome PM Narendra Modi. Upon landing at the HAL airport in Bengaluru, he greeted people gathered and raised the slogan ‘Jai Vigyan, Jai Anusandhan’ outside the airport.

India entered record books as the first country to successfully place a lander on the unexplored lunar South Pole on Wednesday evening. (ANI)