SRIHARIKOTA, June 30: Observing that continued progress in space must remain a national mission, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today exhorted the Indian Space Scientists to develop a SAARC satellite that would be dedicated to neighbours as India’s gift.
Addressing the space scientists from the Mission Control Center after witnessing the successful launch of PSLV-C23 mission that launched five foreign satellites into the orbit, the Prime Minister said SAARC nations were fighting against poverty and were striving towards better education. “Today, I direct our space scientists to develop a SAARC satellite that we can dedicate to our neighbourhood as a gift from India,” he added.
“The SAARC satellite, to be developed by ISRO, should provide full range of applications and services too all our neighbours,” he added.
Mr Modi said SAARC nations were fighting against poverty and striving towards better education.
“They face an important factor of developing in science. The youth in SAARC have to be empowered and this challenge is before us for the the Seven nations,” he added. Mr Modi said “Our SAARC satellite should benefit all the SAARC countries. So, I propose before the space scientists today to build one and launch it.”
“Let the country show how important the SAARC neighbours are for us and how deep is our friendship,” Mr Modi said and called upon the scientists to enlarge the footprint of our satellite to cover the entire South Asia. Stating that continuous progress in space must remain a national mission, Mr Modi said enhancing space capability and building satellites with higher computing, imaging and footprint should have more frequency and quality.
Stressing the need for strengthening India’s international partnership in all areas of space technology, Mr Modi said India has the potential of being the top service provider of the world.
“We must work towards this goal,” he added. Exhorting the Indian space agency to extend its horizon in launching capabilities to heavier satellites, the Prime Minister said Human Resource Development would be the critical factor for the future success of India’s space programmes.
Stating that he was pleased to meet the young scientists of India at SDSC, Mr Modi said, “I admire their work. Let us link up with more universities and colleges to develop our leaders in this area.”
“I have been with you—the scientists—since yesterday. I am happy that I could meet four generations of space scientists in Sriharikota. This reflects on how well we have developed in space science,” he added.
“Right from Aryabhatta to today’s PSLV-C23 I see here. The team spirit I saw, I am very happy. My special congratulations to you. I thank the ancestors of space science like Vikram Sarabhai, who built the space research from scratch,” Mr Modi said.
Averring that more youths should be involved in space space technology, the Prime Minister said a lot of space related datas were put online through ‘Bhuvan’ space portal. “I call upon the students to visit this website. It has a wealth of information and this may drive you to space science,” he added.
Mr Modi also touched upon the aspect of developing a state-of-the art space museum.
“If we can do it, the youth will benefit. This mission can help open a window to our youth to pursue space technology,” he added.
(UNI)
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