PM hails Isro heroes: Aug 23 declared National Space Day

The day India's lunar lander touched down on the Moon, August 23, will be celebrated as National Space Day from now on, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared on Saturday, as he showered effusive praise on Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) scientists and staff for their historic success appreciation that he underscored by taking a detour to visit them while returning from his trips to South Africa and Greece.

- Soumya Pillai

Modi, who was visibly overcome with emotion while expressing his admiration for the scientists, said as is customary, the Chandrayaan-3's landing site will be named Shiv Shakti point - India became the first country to successfully land near the lunar south pole - and the place where its predecessor Chandrayaan-2 crashlanded as Tiranga point.

"Chandrayaan-3's success is not India's alone, but it is the achievement of the entire humanity. This mission will not only help us understand the secrets of the moon but also contribute to overcoming the challenges on earth," Modi said, while interacting with scientists at the Isro Telemetry Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC). "This is an India, which thinks new and thinks in novel ways, which goes to the dark zones and spreads the rays of light. India of 21st century has the capacity to solve major problems of the world".

He recounted the moments when he had joined the Isro control centre live during the landing. "Some memories become immortal. That moment has become immortal, that moment is one of the most inspirational moments of this century. Every Indian felt that victory was his own. I felt it myself," Modi said, after acknowledging to the gathering that he was impatient to meet them in person.