Indian PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday (February 27, 2024) visited the Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram where he unveiled the names of the four pilots who are undergoing training for the nation’s first maiden human space flight mission ‘Gaganyaan’.
The astronaut-designates are Group Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap and Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla.
Underlining that every nation’s development journey has its special moments that define not just the present but the future generations, the Prime Minister said: “Today is such an occasion for India when the present generation can take pride in the historic achievements of the nation in land, air, water and space.”
Recalling his statement about the beginning of a new ‘kaal chakra’ made from Ayodhya, Prime Minister Modi said that India is continuously expanding its space in the global order and its glimpses can be seen in the country’s space program.
The Prime Minister recalled India’s Chandrayaan success as India became the first nation to land on the South Pole of the Moon.
“Today Shiv-Shakti Point is introducing the entire world to Indian prowess,” he said.
He called the introduction of the four Gaganyaan passengers, astronaut-designates, as a historic occasion.
“They are not just four names or individuals, they are four ‘Shakti’ of carrying the aspirations of 140 crore Indians into space,” the Prime Minister said.
He further said, “An Indian is going into space after 40 years. However, now, the time, the countdown as well as the rocket belong to us.”
Referring to the astronaut-designates, the Prime Minister said that their names have been conjoined with India’s success and they symbolize the trust, courage, valor and discipline of today’s India.
Highlighting the need for a healthy body and a healthy mind for this mission, the Prime Minister noted the role of Yoga as part of the training module.
“The country’s wishes and blessings are upon you,” PM Modi said.
Modi expressed happiness that most of the equipment in Gaganyaan is Made in India.
He said that projects that were dedicated today will lead to new jobs and will raise India’s profile.
Praising the role of Nari Shakti (women power) in India’s space programme, the Prime Minister said “Whether it is Chandrayaan or the Gaganyaan, no such project can be imagined without women scientists.”
He informed that more than 500 women are in leadership positions in ISRO.
The Prime Minister said that as per estimates, India’s space economy will grow five-fold and touch 44 billion dollars in next 10 years.
He said that India is becoming a global commercial hub in the field of space.
In the coming days, India will once again go to the Moon.
He also informed about the new ambition of retrieving samples from the surface of the Moon.
He said Venus is also on the radar.
He also stated that by 2035 India will have its own space station.
Furthermore, PM Modi said, “In this Amrit Kaal, an Indian astronaut will land on the Moon in an Indian rocket.”