New Delhi: India has celebrated its inaugural National Space Day today, with President Droupadi Murmu highlighting the pivotal role of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in advancing both space exploration and socio-economic development. Addressing the ceremony in New Delhi, President Murmu lauded ISRO’s contributions, noting how space exploration has expanded human capabilities, turned imagination into reality, and unveiled cosmic mysteries.
In a message shared on the social media platform X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his warmest congratulations to the nation. “Greetings to everyone on the first National Space Day,” Prime Minister Modi wrote. “We recall with great pride our nation’s achievements in the space sector. It is also a day to laud the contributions of our space scientists.”
Minister of State for Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, praised the current administration for transforming the space sector. He criticized the previous era of secrecy that, he claimed, hindered progress by restricting access to resources and knowledge. “The Narendra Modi government has broken the shackles of the past, liberating the Space Sector and fostering growth,” Dr. Singh said.
ISRO Chairman S. Somanath highlighted the nationwide enthusiasm for National Space Day, noting widespread participation from departments, ministries, educational institutions, scientific organizations, NGOs, and the general public.
The President also awarded prizes to winners of ISRO’s Robotics Challenge and the Bharatiya Antariksh Hackathon during the celebration.