India has achieved what no other country has been able to do so far. It has become the first nation to successfully send a mission to the Planet Mars on its first attempt. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated the space scientists for successfully inserting the Mars Orbiter Mission into Martian orbit. Importantly, India has been able to achieve this Herculean task at a cost which is substantially less than what NASA has spent to accomplish a similar task.
Addressing the scientists after witnessing the insertion procedure at ISRO in Bangalore, the PM said history has been created by the Indian scientists reaching Mars in the first attempt. "The odds were stacked against us. Of the 51 missions attempted across the world so far, a mere 21 had succeeded," the PM said highlighting the accomplishment.
He said that Indian scientists, through their hard work and dedication, have stretched the boundaries of human enterprise and imagination. He described the Mars Orbiter Mission as an indigenous pan-Indian effort, stretching from Bangalore to Bhubaneswar, and Faridabad to Rajkot.
Praising the scientists, the Indian Prime Minister said, the hunger of exploration and the thrill of discovery are not for the faint hearted. He remarked that he had chosen to be present at ISRO today, unmindful of success or failure of the mission. He exhorted scientists to set even more challenging targets for themselves, and said he had confidence that they would be able to achieve even those targets. You have "made a habit of achieving the impossible," the Prime Minister said. He said Modern India must continue playing its role of Jagadguru Bharat.
The PM further said the success of the space programme is a shining symbol of what we are capable of as a nation. A successful space programme generates applications across multiple domains, he added. He said the efforts of India's space scientists are deepening our governance, strengthening our economy and improving our lives.
Noting that the whole nation celebrates when the cricket team wins a tournament, the Prime Minister described the success of the Mars Orbiter Mission as a thousand times greater, and said all Indians must celebrate the success of our space scientists. Let India celebrate the achievements of its scientists. Let students in every school and college applaud their efforts, he added.
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