๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฅ๐ ๐ซ๐๐ฃ๐จ๐ข๐๐๐ฌ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ ๐๐ก๐๐ง๐๐ซ๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ง-๐ ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง
STATE TIMES NEWS
Washington/London/Singapore: In a momentous achievement for India’s space programme, the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the lunar south pole on Wednesday sparked jubilant reactions from around the world, including the Indian diaspora. India scripted history as the ambitious third Moon mission of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) touched down on the Moon’s south pole, propelling the country to an exclusive club of four and making it the first nation to land on the uncharted surface.
Mukesh Aghi, President and CEO of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF), said this is a historic moment for the people of India.
Modi hails โNew flight of New Indiaโ
New Delhi: India is now on the moon and the success of the lunar mission has sounded the bugle for the emergence of a developed nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday as Chandrayaan-3 landed successfully on the lunar surface.
“We are witness to the new flight of new India. A new history has been written,” Modi said while addressing ISRO scientists virtually from Johannesburg, and described the Chandrayaan-3 landing on the moon as the “first light of ‘Amrit Kaal’ and the ‘Amrit Varsha’ of success”. “This is a moment to cherish forever,” Modi said, noting that India has reached the South Pole of the moon where no country has ventured so far and congratulated scientists of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on the historic feat.
Invoking India’s G20 Presidency, Modi said the success of India’s moon mission was not it alone but that of the entire humanity.
“India’s successful moon mission is not 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 represent has been welcomed universally. Our moon mission is also based on the same human-centric approach. Therefore, this success belongs to all of humanity,” he said.
With the successful landing on the moon, India has become the fourth country to master the technology of soft-landing on the lunar surface after the US, China and the erstwhile Soviet Union. But no country has ever landed a rover on the treacherous south pole that scientists believe could hold important reserves of frozen water and precious elements.
“India is proving again and again that the sky is not the limit,”Modi said, adding that ISRO already has set to launch a mission to the sun Aditya-L1′ and was planning to explore planet Venus.
Immediately after the successful soft landing of Vikram lander on the moon, the Prime Minister called ISRO chairman S Somanath to congratulate the space agency’s scientists and said he would soon extend greetings to them in person.
Sources said Modi may visit ISRO on August 26 after his return from abroad.
“India is now on the moon and now is the time to walk on the ‘Chandra Path’ of victory,” the Prime Minister said.
“India has reached the South Pole of the moon where no country in the world has reached to date. We have achieved this with the dedication and talent of our scientists. This is a moment of the capability of the 140 crore heartbeats and the confidence of new energy of India,” he said.
“This day signifies how victory is achieved from the lessons of defeat”, the Prime Minister said in an apparent reference to the partial success of the Chandrayaan-2 mission in 2019.
The Chandrayaan-3’s landing on the moon is a historic moment and sounds the bugle for a developed India, Modi said.
Modi, who is in the South African city to attend the five-nation BRICS Summit, waved the tricolour and clapped the moment Chandrayaan-3 landed on the moon.
“Though I was in South Africa for the BRICS Summit, my heart and soul was here (in India),” the Prime Minister said.
Modi joined the scientists gathered at ISRO’s Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) virtually.
“It shows India as a rising scientific power which will play an important role in improving the lives of citizens of the world. It is a proud moment which we need to cherish as the world deals with war, poverty, climate change and hunger. India will play an important role in eliminating these man-made challenges,” he said.
Girija Pande, Chairman, Apex Advisors Singapore, said he is overjoyed at this brilliant scientific feat by ISRO.
“It will make all Indians proud. it will open doors for India in the massive outer space industry,” Pande said.
LG, political parties congratulate
Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and political leaders on Wednesday congratulated ISRO scientists on Chandrayaan-3’s successful landing on the Moon, which put India in a group of select nations that have mastered the technology of soft-landing on the lunar surface.
The feat has been achieved by the US, China and the erstwhile Soviet Union. Celebrations by tourists erupted near the historic Ghanta Ghar’ (Clock Tower) in the Lal Chowk city centre as soon as the spacecraft made the soft landing on the moon. They were watching its live telecast.
“India is on the moon! Heartiest Congratulations to team @ISRO for success of Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission. Absolutely momentous achievement and important milestone in the development of India’s space programme,” Sinha said on X, formerly Twitter.
On X, National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah said, “So very pleased for the scientists at @isro. After the setback with Chandrayaan-2 in 2019, they dusted themselves off, wiped off the tears of disappointment and started again determined to succeed.”
They have taught “us that a setback is not a failure, it’s a lesson to learn from”, the NC leader said.
Today, India became the first nation to land a probe softly on the south side of the moon, the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said and added that “Hats off to the ‘Never Give In’ spirit exemplified by @isro.”
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti described the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 as a proud moment for all. “Heartiest congratulations to @isro for Chandrayaan-3’s successful landing on the moon. A proud moment for all of us which wouldn’t have been possible without their sheer perseverance and dedication,” Mehbooba, who is also a former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister, said.
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Vikar Rasool Wani said, “My heartiest congratulations to @isro and the entire team of the mission.” It is a proud moment for every Indian, he said.
BJP’s Jammu and Kashmir spokesperson Altaf Thakur said ISRO deserves all praise for the grand success.
“Indeed a proud moment for the nation as Chandrayaan-3 made successful lunar landing at 6:04 pm. ISRO deserves all praise for the grand success,” he said.
Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari posted on X, “Felicitations to all the countrymen on the successful accomplishment of ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 mission. It is a moment that all of us were waiting with bated breath for all this time.”
“The diligence with which ISRO and its allied departments accomplished the mission deserves due praise and accolades. Proud moment for whole nation,” he said.
Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Lone said it was a remarkable comeback for ISRO. “India is now a proud member of a very exclusive and select band of countries,” he said.
Expressing his delight and pride over the groundbreaking achievement of Chandrayaan-3, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu, Prof Umesh Rai said that it is a historic day, as India has etched its name in the history by becoming the first nation to reach the southern pole of the moon.
As per official communication, Prof Umesh Rai extended his warmest congratulations to ISRO, with a special mention for the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, whose steadfast leadership played a pivotal role in this milestone.
Vice Chancellor also emphasized the significance of this achievement in pushing the boundaries of exploration and knowledge, marking a new era for India’s space endeavors.
“India’s successful Chandrayaan-3 launch is not just a testament to the country’s scientific and technological might, but also a beacon of hope for humanity’s ceaseless quest for understanding the universe around us,” said Vice Chancellor, Prof Umesh Rai. Senior leader and spokesperson of Bhartiya Janta Party, Dr. Tahir Choudhary, expressed his heartiest congratulations to scientists of the ISRO) and the people of the nation for the remarkable success of Chandrayaan-3’s landing on the moon.
Dr. Tahir hailed this historic achievement as a significant milestone accomplished under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Dr. Tahir Choudhary went on to express his admiration for the relentless commitment and hard work exhibited by the ISRO team, which has resonated with every Indian citizen, filling their hearts with pride.
He highlighted that this achievement reinforces India’s position on the global space stage and showcases the nation’s technological prowess.
He commended ISRO for continually raising the bar and bringing pride to the entire nation. Ashishkumar Chauhan, MD & CEO, NSE has extended his congratulations on the historic event of landing of India’s Chandrayaan 3 on the south pole of the moon, becoming the first country to do so.
“I extend my warmest congratulations to our great nation on the remarkable achievement of Chandrayaan-3’s soft and successful landing on the south pole of the Moon. This outstanding achievement marks a historic milestone in India’s space exploration journey and resonates deeply with the core values that propel our country’s progress. As we celebrate this historic moment, let us draw inspiration from it in science and beyond. Let it be a testament to the fact that challenges are mere opportunities for us to showcase our resilience and brilliance. May this accomplishment fuel our collective aspiration to reach greater heights, break new ground, and push the boundaries of what is possible,” Ashishkumar Chauhan said.
Dr Leah-Nani Alconcel, a spacecraft engineer and lecturer in the School of Metallurgy and Materials at University of Birmingham said Chandrayaan-3’s landing is the crowning achievement from the investment of years of intensive work by ISRO’s scientists and engineers. “It is so exciting to watch this complex, cooperative effort come to fruition. Many congratulations to the dedicated experts of Chandrayaan-3’s mission and instrument teams from the space science and engineering community at the University of Birmingham,” Alconcel said.
British Indian think tank 1928 Institute in a statement said that this “pioneering and courageous” journey is a giant leap in the quest for deeper knowledge of the cosmos.
“The findings from this mission will exponentially propel our understanding of the Lunar South Pole and it is truly amazing that India is the first country to achieve this,” it said.
The feat of ISRO scientists is being admired even in Pakistan, a country often seen as inimical to India. The Chandrayaan-3 mission has struck a chord with the common people in the neighbouring country.
“India is marching ahead, we are nowhere,” said Ayub Akhtar, a resident of Islamabad.
Echoing his views, Shamina Begum from Karachi said that India has stolen a march on them in science and technology, while Pakistan is battling for basics like food and education, amid high inflation and internal conflicts.
Several others pointed a finger at Pakistan’s political class for “letting the country down”.
Congratulating ISRO on the “groundbreaking” mission, the Indian National Students’ Association (INSA) UK spokesperson said as an Indian student organisation in the UK, it is immensely proud of India’s pursuit of scientific excellence and its potential to reshape lunar exploration.
“We at INSA believe that ISRO’s success will not only instil confidence but also inspire a new generation of Indians to think big and achieve with perseverance,” it said.
Diaspora group Friends of India Society International (FISI) UK said the achievement serves as a powerful testament to India’s unwavering dedication to scientific progress, poised to ignite the aspirations of forthcoming generations of explorers and scientists within the nation.
The group extended its “warmest” congratulations to the immensely talented ISRO scientists who masterminded the triumphant touchdown of Chandrayaan-3 on the lunar surface on August 23, 2023.
By successfully accomplishing this remarkable feat, India has now entered the prestigious league of nations that have achieved successful lunar landings. However, the true marvel lies in India’s unprecedented achievement the successful landing of a spacecraft on the enigmatic ‘Dark Side” of the Moon, specifically in its southern polar region, it said.
“With the success of Chandrayaan-3, India proudly attains the distinction of being the inaugural nation to achieve a triumphant landing on the Moon’s southern pole, a region that has captivated the curiosity of scientists due to its exceptional attributes,” it said.
Dr T Chandroo, immediate past chairman of the Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SICCI), said the successful launch and execution of Chandrayaan 3 marks another significant milestone in India’s pursuit of space exploration and scientific advancement.
The endeavour demonstrates India’s unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of knowledge, fostering innovation, and inspiring generations to dream big, he said.
Chandrayaan 3 holds immense promise for expanding our understanding of the lunar surface, conducting vital scientific experiments, and paving the way for future space missions, Chandroo said, adding, “Chandrayaan 3 will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of scientists, astronauts, and innovators.”
Successful entrepreneur Arun Aggarwal from Texas in the US said the landing of Chandrayaan-3, a total indigenous project, is an achievement that not only the Indians, but the whole world should be proud of.
“When India progresses it helps the world progress,” he said, adding that the successful mission is another testament to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of India marching towards being an advanced nation.
Community leader Ajay Jain Bhutoria from California said the remarkable accomplishment not only positions India as the first country in the world to achieve such a milestone of landing on the south side of the moon, but it also underscores India’s dedication to leveraging cutting-edge technology in a cost-efficient manner.
“This mission’s triumph goes beyond lunar exploration; it symbolises India’s emergence as a significant player in global space endeavours. The exceptional talents of India’s scientists and engineers are once again on display, showcasing the nation’s innovation and prowess in the space domain. This achievement is a beacon illuminating India’s remarkable ascent on the international stage,” he said.
Dr Suresh Gupta, an Indian American physician in Washington, said this is “a momentous day for my motherland India”. “From a country of Snake Charmers to Space Exploration Club’. A Giant Step. Indeed.”
