India Celebrates National Space Day: Senior ISRO Scientists Reflect on Their Interactions with PM Modi
News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/23rd August 2024
India is marking its inaugural National Space Day to commemorate the anniversary of the successful landing of the Chandrayaan-3 mission. This celebration not only highlights the nation’s achievements in space exploration but also underscores the significant role played by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in supporting and inspiring India’s space endeavors. Senior scientists from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have shared their memorable experiences of interacting with PM Modi during key moments of the Chandrayaan missions.
Arushi Seth, a senior scientist at ISRO, recounted her experience with PM Modi during the Mangalyaan mission, which aimed to capture Mars’ orbit. Seth described the excitement and anticipation at the space center as the mission was about to achieve its milestone. “When the capture was successful, PM Modi visited our center and addressed us. His presence and speech were a tremendous boost to our morale,” Seth noted. She also highlighted Modi’s longstanding interest in space science, recalling how he had visited the Space Applications Centre in Ahmedabad during his tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat. “His interest and encouragement have been a source of great inspiration for us,” she added.
Pavithra Shinde, another prominent ISRO scientist, shared her experience of the Chandrayaan-3 landing, a historic and emotional moment for the entire team. Shinde was stationed at the front row, closely monitoring the system’s performance during the landing. “The moment we successfully landed, it was an unparalleled joy. We had a virtual interaction with PM Modi shortly after, which was a special and memorable experience,” Shinde said. She reflected on how Modi praised the ISRO community for their efforts and congratulated them personally. “Three days later, he visited Bengaluru and met with us. I was among the women scientists chosen to interact with him. He beautifully related the landing of Vikram on the Moon’s south pole with the mythological figure Angad setting his foot firmly. It was a profound moment,” Shinde recalled.
The successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 on August 23, 2023, marked a significant milestone for India, making it the fourth country to land on the Moon and the first to achieve this feat near the lunar south pole. In recognition of this achievement, PM Modi declared August 23 as National Space Day and named the landing site ‘Shiva Shakti Point.’ He also designated the Chandrayaan-2 landing site as ‘Tiranga Point.’
The interactions with PM Modi during these pivotal moments have been a source of immense pride and motivation for the ISRO team. Modi’s support and acknowledgment have reinforced the significance of their contributions to space exploration and have fostered a deep sense of achievement and national pride among the scientists.
