Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the 124th episode of his Mann Ki Baat radio address, lauded India’s rapid strides in the space sector, celebrating the landmark achievements of Chandrayaan-3 and IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s recent return from the International Space Station.
Speaking ahead of National Space Day, which will be observed on August 23, PM Modi highlighted how these successes have inspired a national wave of scientific curiosity and pride. “As soon as Shubhanshu landed safely on Earth, people jumped with joy, and a wave of happiness ran through every heart. The whole country was filled with pride,” he said.
The recent years have witnessed a surge in interest towards space, science and innovation. Equally commendable are the strides made by our youth in various Olympiads. #MannKiBaat pic.twitter.com/2BHQkcLyIt
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 27, 2025
He also recalled the momentous occasion of Chandrayaan-3’s successful lunar landing in August 2023, noting that it sparked a surge in interest among children toward science and space exploration. “Little children now say, ‘We will also go to space; we will also land on the moon—we will become space scientists,’” he said.
PM Modi further spotlighted the INSPIRE-MANAK Abhiyan, an initiative to promote innovation among schoolchildren. He noted that the number of participants has doubled since the Chandrayaan-3 mission, reflecting the growing scientific spirit among young minds.
Touching on the growth of India’s space economy, the Prime Minister emphasized the boom in space startups—rising from fewer than 50 five years ago to over 200 today.
He also praised Indian students for their recent achievements in global science competitions. At the International Mathematical Olympiad in Australia, Indian students secured three golds, two silvers, and one bronze. Similarly, Indian participants made their mark at the International Chemistry Olympiad.
Looking ahead, PM Modi announced that Mumbai will host the Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad next month, featuring students from over 60 countries. “In a way, India is now moving ahead for both the Olympics and the Olympiads,” he remarked.
Concluding his address, PM Modi encouraged citizens to share their ideas for celebrating National Space Day through the NaMo App, reinforcing the role of public participation in India’s journey to becoming a space power.
