Historic moment a victory for new India, says Prime Minister Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the successful Chandrayaan-3 mission as a "historic and unforgettable" moment that has moved India into a unique position. He congratulated the Isro scientists and experts for this triumph and said it marks the beginning of several ambitious space missions, including those aimed at studying the sun and Venus as well as sending a human to the moon.

"When we witness such history being created before our eyes, our life is blessed. Such events become forever memorable for a nation. This is an unforgettable, unprecedented moment. This moment is the victory cry of a developed India, it is the triumph of the New India. This moment is about crossing the ocean of difficulties, about walking on the path of victory," Modi said in a video address from Johannesburg, where he is attending the BRICS summit.

The PM described it as a moment of "new trust, new confidence and a new awakening" in India, and one that establishes the country's rise. "We took a pledge on earth and fulfilled it on the moon. Our scientists also said India is now on the moon. Today we have become witness to a new flight of a New India."


Modi expressed gratitude from "the bottom of his heart" to the scientists and experts involved in the mission for years of hard work.

'Historic day for space sector'
Underlining that the Chandrayaan-3 landing is a "historic day" for India's space sector, Modi said: "Through this mission, India has reached the southern pole of the moon which no other nation has done till today."

On a lighter note, he said from today the myths, sayings and stories about the moon will also change. The coming generations will say the moon is "just a tour away".

"On this joyous occasion, I would like to address all the people of the world, country and region. India's successful moon mission is not just India's alone. This is a year in which the world is witnessing India's G20 presidency. Our approach of One Earth, One Family, One Future is resonating across the globe. This human-centric approach that we present and represent has been welcomed universally. Our moon mission is based on the same human-centric approach. Therefore, this success belongs to all of humanity. It will help moon missions by other countries," Modi said. "I am confident that all countries, including those from the Global South, are capable of achieving such feats. We can all aspire for the moon and beyond."

The Prime Minister emphasised that going forward India will begin the process of exploring the moon and the rest of the universe.

"We have set many formidable and ambitious targets for the future. Very soon Isro is going to launch the Aditya-L1 mission to study the sun. After that Venus is also one of the targets of Isro. It is engaged in an all-out effort for sending a human in Gaganyaan. India is proving again and again that the sky is not the limit," Modi said.

Science and technology will be the basis of a bright future for the country, the Prime Minister asserted.

"This day will remind us of the bright future ahead... It shows us how one can learn from failures to achieve success," Modi said, referring to the failed attempt earlier.