India achieved a historic milestone on August 23, 2023, becoming the fourth country to land on the Moon and the first to touch down near its south pole. To honor this achievement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared August 23 as "National Space Day" (NSpD), marking it as a day of national pride and scientific accomplishment.
As the nation gears up to celebrate its first National Space Day on August 23, 2024, the theme "Touching Lives while Touching the Moon: India's Space Saga" resonates with India's ongoing journey in space exploration. The grand celebration at Bharat Mandapam, Plenary Hall in New Delhi, will be graced by the President of India, with notable attendees including Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh.
Dr. Jitendra Singh, in a Curtain Raiser press interaction at the National Media Centre, highlighted the significance of Chandrayaan-3's success, emphasizing its role as a stepping stone for future missions. "Chandrayaan 3 was a milestone, Chandrayaan 4 and 5 will follow," he announced, underscoring India's commitment to advancing its space capabilities.
The Minister also shared ambitious plans for the future, including the Gaganyaan Mission, which aims to send the first Indian into space in 2025. Dr. Singh mentioned his recent meeting with the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral D. K Tripathi, where they discussed ISRO's collaboration with the Indian Navy for crew module recovery, a critical aspect of the Gaganyaan Mission.
India's growing space sector has seen a surge in private investments, with over Rs 1,000 crore flowing into the industry following collaborations with private partners. The rise of startups in the space sector, from a handful to around 300, many with global potential, is a testament to the dynamic growth of India's space economy. The Minister recalled the Finance Minister's budget speech, which projected a fivefold increase in the space economy over the next decade.
Dr. Jitendra Singh credited Prime Minister Modi for opening the doors of Sriharikota to the world, allowing the global community to witness India's leap in the space sector. He also spoke about the long-term vision for India's space exploration, including the establishment of the Bhartiya Antariksh Station by 2035 and an Indian landing on the Moon by 2045.
Shantanu Bhatwadekar, Scientific Secretary of ISRO, elaborated on the nationwide celebrations planned for National Space Day. Events across India's seven zones will include exhibitions, space science fairs, and interactive sessions with scientists. These events are designed not only to celebrate India's space achievements but also to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.
Educational institutions across the country are participating in space-themed competitions, debates, and quizzes, making space science accessible to students. Research organizations, ministries, and NGOs have collaborated with ISRO to conduct workshops and outreach programs, ensuring that the celebration extends beyond the scientific community to every Indian.
Earlier, the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare launched the Krishi-Decision Support System (Krishi-DSS), a geospatial platform designed to revolutionize Indian agriculture. This platform integrates satellite data with other critical agricultural information, providing farmers with the tools they need to make informed decisions.
As India celebrates its first National Space Day, the nation reflects on its past achievements while looking forward to an even brighter future in space exploration.
