By Krishnan Nayar
NEW DELHI, 27th August, 2023 (WAM) — India is to observe 23rd August every year as “National Space Day” in commemoration of the ongoing exploration of the Moon’s surface by the rover of Indian spacecraft, Chandrayaan-3, which landed on the Moon on that day.
“Every year, National Space Day will celebrate the spirit of science and technology,” India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared in a speech in Bengaluru yesterday to scientists at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), which is in charge of India’s space programme.
He said the decision has been taken to encourage future generations in studying science and in conducting research. “It will encourage us for eternity.”
India is only the fourth country to successfully put a spacecraft on the Moon. Before Chandrayaan-3, only the former Soviet Union, the United States and China have done so.
The Modi government’s citizen engagement platform, MyGov.in, will start big scientific quiz programme from 1st September on India’s Moon exploration efforts. Its hope is that thousands on Indian children living in GCC countries will also take part in this science awareness competition.
Modi said the worth of India's space industry will double in the next few years from its present US$ 8 billion to US$ 16 billion.
“The Indian government is working relentlessly for space sector reforms. During the last four years, the number of space-related startups has gone up from four to about 150,” Modi revealed.
He called for greater use of space applications in governance and administration, especially in managing natural disasters like cyclones, which have the potential to damage the human habitat.