Launch of Chandrayaan-2 Taught Me Fearlessness and Faith, Says PM Modi in Monthly Address

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday lauded ISRO’s Chandrayaan-2 mission, saying the project had taught him faith and fearlessness. The Prime Minister, in his monthly address Mann ki Baat, also said citizens must learn from how ISRO did not let an aborted mission break their enthusiasm but instead bounced back stronger. Water conservation and the need to keep reading were other topics he touched upon.

Discussing the country’s feat in space venture, Modi said, “I fervently hope that Chandrayaan-2 mission will inspire our youth towards Science & Innovation. We are now expectantly waiting for the month of September, when Lander Vikram and Rover Pragyan will land on Lunar surface.”

The Prime Minister said 2019 has been a great year for India’s space missions. “Our scientists had launched A-Sat in March, followed by Chandrayaan-2. There was not much talk of the A-Sat as elections were being held during that time. With the success of A-Sat, we can destroy satellites which are almost 300 kilometres away in just three minutes. We are the only fourth century country in the world to achieve this feat.”

In his 25-minute address, the PM lauded the mission for being Indian to the core. “It is a totally swadeshi and homegrown mission. We are now eagerly waiting for September, when Lander Vikram and Rover Pragyan will land on lunar surface,” the PM said.

Modi also noted that over 3 lakh pilgrims completed the Amarnath yatra since July 1 and said it has already outnumbered the number of devotees during 60 days in 2015.

Hailing the hospitality of the people of the state, he said it will boost tourism.

In the Chardham yatra in Uttarakhand too, large numbers of tourists have visited holy sites, he said, adding that over eight lakh devotees had visited Kedarnath shrine, a record number post the massive 2013 floods that had devastated the region.

Modi asked people to celebrate August 15 with special preparations and find out new ways to observe Independence Day with greater participation of masses. "You must ponder over the fact how 15th August could be celebrated as a folk-festival and also as a people's festival," he said.

Speaking of floods in different parts, he said the Centre in tandem with state governments is working at a "lightning pace" to provide people relief and succour.

The issue of water conservation has stirred the nation, he said, and lauded the Meghalaya government to frame a water policy and the Haryana government for encouraging farmers to shift to cultivating crops that need less water.

This was his second radio address after assuming office for the second term.

Earlier, taking to Twitter, Modi said he was looking forward to the interaction.

In his first term, Modi had addressed the nation on 53 occasions between October 3, 2014 and February 24 this year through his monthly broadcast after coming to power in 2014.