In the 119th episode of Mann Ki Baat on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on the nation to celebrate National Science Day by spending “One Day as a Scientist.” He encouraged children and youth to engage with science more deeply by experiencing the life of a scientist for a day, fostering greater curiosity about the field.
The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of inspiring youth to take an interest in science. “In the coming days, we will be celebrating National Science Day, and the passion and interest of our children and youth in science are crucial. I have an idea called ‘One Day as a Scientist.’ Pick any day that suits you and immerse yourself in the world of science. Visit a research lab, planetarium, or space center. This experience will ignite your curiosity about science,” PM Modi suggested.
Further, PM Modi celebrated the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) achievement of reaching a major milestone with its 100th rocket launch. He described this as a testament to India’s growing strength in space science. “Last month, India witnessed ISRO’s 100th rocket launch. This is more than just a number; it reflects our unwavering resolve to scale new heights in space exploration. Our space journey began modestly, with challenges at every step, but our scientists persisted and overcame them,” he said.
The Prime Minister also lauded ISRO’s numerous achievements, such as building launch vehicles, the success of missions like Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan, Aditya L-1, and the historic feat of launching 104 satellites at once. “In the past decade, ISRO has launched about 460 satellites, including those for other countries,” PM Modi added.
He also pointed out the growing participation of women in India’s space sector. “I am particularly happy to see that the space sector has become increasingly popular among our youth. Just a few years ago, who could have imagined that there would be hundreds of start-ups and private space companies in India? For young people seeking adventure and excitement, the space sector is now an excellent career option,” the Prime Minister said.
Reflecting on ISRO’s achievements, ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan expressed gratitude to PM Modi for his leadership and vision. “We’ve come a long way from transporting rockets on bicycles and bullock carts to becoming a respected space organization. This success is the result of generations of leaders, from Vikram Sarabhai to Satish Dhawan,” Narayanan said.
He further highlighted that PM Modi’s vision for space exploration, along with his initiative for space sector reforms, has been pivotal in ISRO’s growth. “The Prime Minister has set a clear vision for the future of the space sector until 2040, and the approval of key projects under his leadership has given us the necessary support,” Narayanan added.
ISRO recently marked its 100th launch with the successful deployment of the GSLV-F15 carrying the NVS-02 satellite from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, solidifying its position as a global leader in space exploration.