PM Modi Announces “Shiv Shakti” as Landing Site for Chandrayaan-3 Lander at Isro Event

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended Isro scientists and officials at the Indian Space Research Organisation’s Telemetry, Tracking and Command Centre in Bengaluru’s Peenya industrial area. He praised their achievement in the Chandrayaan-3 mission and expressed his gratitude for their success.

Following his two-nation tour, PM Modi arrived in Bengaluru and emphasized that the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3’s moon lander was a moment of immense joy for him. He conveyed his eagerness to meet the scientists upon returning to the country to personally convey his appreciation and admiration.

At the ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network Mission Control Complex in Bengaluru, PM Modi disclosed that the specific spot on the lunar surface where Chandrayaan-3’s moon lander touched down would now be referred to as “Shiv Shakti.” Furthermore, he designated August 23 as “National Space Day” in honor of the day Chandrayaan-3 made its lunar landing, symbolized by the Indian flag being hoisted on the Moon.

PM Modi declared, “On 23rd August, India hoisted the national flag on the Moon. From now onwards, that day will be known as National Space Day in India.”

He also affirmed that the location where Chandrayaan-2 had left its mark on the Moon would be named “Tiranga,” signifying the Indian tricolor flag. This gesture is intended to inspire India’s future endeavors, highlighting that setbacks are not definitive.

Addressing the Isro scientists at around 7.30 am, PM Modi expressed his deep appreciation for their dedicated efforts. He praised their remarkable achievements, emphasizing that their contributions have elevated India to remarkable heights in the field of space exploration.

The prime minister became emotional while discussing the triumph of Chandrayaan-3, stating, “India is on the moon.”

In his remarks to the scientists, PM Modi emphasized India’s exceptional accomplishments, remarking, “India is on the moon. We have reached places no one had reached before. We have achieved what no one had achieved before. This is the India of today – bold and brave.”

He also acknowledged the pivotal role played by women scientists in Chandrayaan-3’s successful landing. “Women are now leading India’s scientific endeavors. Women scientists played a key role in Chandrayaan-3,” PM Modi remarked at the Isro event.

Reflecting on India’s progress, PM Modi noted, “There was a time when we were in the third row. Today, in areas ranging from trade to technology, India stands in the first row among developed countries. In this journey from the ‘Third row’ to the ‘First row,’ institutions like ‘Isro’ have played a pivotal role.”

PM Modi projected India’s space industry to grow from $8 billion to $16 billion in a few years, emphasizing that India is poised to emerge as a global leader in Science and Technology. He expressed his conviction that India’s innovative spirit will propel the nation to greater heights, eventually leading to its development by 2047.

The Chandrayaan-3 mission marked a significant milestone by achieving a successful soft landing on the Moon’s surface on August 23. Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually witnessed the touchdown of the lander module. With this accomplishment, India has become the first country to reach the Moon’s unexplored south pole, solidifying its position among the world’s top four nations to achieve a soft landing on the lunar surface.