Mars achievement thousand times bigger than cricket win: PM Narendra Modi

BANGALORE: Calling the achievement of the scientists "thousand times bigger" than a cricket tournament victory, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today asked students in every school and college to spend at least five minutes applauding them, post the historic Mars mission.

"If our cricket team wins one tournament whole country rejoices. Whatever our scientists have achieved is thousand times bigger than it," Modi said.

The prime minister, who watched the final moments leading to the success of the Mars Orbiter Mission at the command centre of Indian Space Research Organisation, said "Dear countrymen, we should all take pride in what our scientists have achieved."

Looking overjoyed, Modi, who was clapping persistently till he moved to make the announcement, was effusive in his praise of ISRO scientists for making India the "first" country to succeed in the maiden attempt to reach to the Red Planet.

"Today the whole of India has to celebrate in honour of our scientists. Our scientists have to be respected and honoured for their achievement in every school and college by spending at least five minutes and clapping for them."

"Dear country men Navratri begins tomorrow. It is a beginning of the 'mangal' (auspicious). It is certain everything will be 'mangal' hereon. When everything is going to be mangal this Mangalyatra (Mars Mission) will inspire us to create more mangal."