New Delhi – On Friday, President Droupadi Murmu marked the inaugural National Space Day by visiting an exhibition at Bharat Mandapam, showcasing advancements in space technology. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh and ISRO Chairman S. Somanath joined the event.

In her address, President Murmu expressed her pride in the Chandrayaan mission. "It was a glorious moment for all Indians when ISRO's Chandrayaan-3 successfully landed on the moon," she said. "Watching the live broadcast of that historic event filled me with immense pride, just like every Indian."

She praised the decision to align National Space Day with the Chandrayaan-3 landing anniversary, calling it a "commendable step" and congratulated everyone involved. "ISRO has achieved numerous milestones since its inception," she noted.

The President also highlighted the significant role of space exploration in advancing human knowledge and technology. "Space exploration not only broadens our imagination but also brings benefits to various fields including health, transportation, environment, energy, security, and IT," she added.

Commending ISRO's progress, President Murmu mentioned the impressive accomplishments such as the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) and the launch of over 100 satellites in a single mission. She also praised the involvement of private players in India’s space sector, which has led to the rise of numerous space start-ups and opened new opportunities for young Indians.

She expressed optimism about India's goal to achieve a debris-free space environment by 2030, saying, "I am pleased to see that India is making strides towards ensuring our space missions are free of debris."

India’s first National Space Day, themed "Touching Lives While Touching the Moon: India's Space Saga," celebrated the historic Chandrayaan-3 landing on August 23, 2023. This achievement made India the fourth country to land on the moon and the first to reach the lunar South Pole. Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared August 23 as National Space Day in honor of this landmark event.

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