India Commemorates Inaugural National Space Day

India celebrates its first National Space Day to honor its significant space achievements, particularly the Chandrayaan-3 mission's historic soft landing on the moon. Declared by PM Modi, this day acknowledges India's pioneering steps in space exploration under the theme: 'Touching Lives While Touching the Moon: India's Space Saga.'

India is set to celebrate its inaugural National Space Day on Friday, themed 'Touching Lives While Touching the Moon: India's Space Saga'. The milestone marks a year since the Chandrayaan-3 mission's historic soft landing on the lunar South Pole, making India the fourth country to achieve this feat and the first to touch down near the moon's South Pole.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared August 23 as National Space Day in honor of the accomplishment. Union Ministers Hardeep Singh Puri, Nitin Gadkari, and Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya took to social media platform X to express their pride in India's space achievements. Puri lauded ISRO's journey from transporting components on bullock carts to lunar landings, while Gadkari celebrated both the Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1 missions. Mandaviya highlighted the scientists' dedication and the country's commitment to space exploration.

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways also commemorated National Space Day, noting India's pioneering role in lunar exploration. The nation eagerly looks forward to future missions, including Gaganyaan, scheduled for 2024.

(With inputs from agencies.)