India marked a historic celebration with its maiden National Space Day on August 23, 2024, a day commemorating the nation’s remarkable achievement in space exploration. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, speaking at a curtain-raiser event at the National Media Centre in New Delhi, highlighted the significance of this day as a tribute to India’s groundbreaking success in landing on the moon’s southern polar region with Chandrayaan 3 on August 23, 2023.
During the event, Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that Chandrayaan 3 was just the beginning, with Chandrayaan 4 and 5 set to follow in the coming years. The Minister’s announcement underscored India’s growing stature as a leader in the global space sector. He also pointed to the upcoming Gaganyaan Mission, which aims to send the first Indian into space by 2025, as a testament to the country’s ambitious space goals.
The celebration at Bharat Mandapam, Plenary Hall, attended by the President of India, was themed “Touching Lives while Touching the Moon: India’s Space Saga,” reflecting the broader impact of India’s space advancements on society. The Minister noted that the space sector in India had seen an unprecedented influx of over Rs 1,000 crore in investment, fueled by collaborations with private partners and a significant rise in Space StartUps. From just a handful of startups, the sector now boasts around 300, many with global potential.
Dr. Singh also highlighted future milestones, including the establishment of the Bhartiya Antariksh Station by 2035 and an Indian landing on the moon by 2045. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for opening up the space sector to the world and enabling these achievements.
Shantanu Bhatwadekar, Scientific Secretary of ISRO, who accompanied the Minister, detailed the series of events organized across India’s seven zones in celebration of National Space Day. These events showcased the nation’s space journey through exhibitions, space science fairs, interactive sessions with scientists, and national-level competitions such as the ISRO Robotics Challenge and the Bhartiya Antriksh Hackathon.
The celebration was not limited to the scientific community but extended to every Indian citizen. Schools, colleges, research organizations, ministries, and NGOs across the country actively participated, making space science accessible to the masses. The events included space-themed competitions, debates, and quizzes, with Indian citizens given the opportunity to interact with scientists and witness live launches at ISRO centers.
As India looks toward its future in space exploration, the celebration of National Space Day serves as a reminder of the nation’s determination to continue its journey into the cosmos, with Chandrayaan 3 as the catalyst for a series of ambitious missions that lie ahead.
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