Dy CM Pavan Kalyan hails Isro's journey as a remarkable inspiration to the nation

TIRUPATI: Deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan hailed the Indian space research organisation (ISRO) as an inspiration to the nation.

Taking part in the national Space day celebrations held at the Satish Dhawan space centre (SDSC-SHAR) at Sriharikota in Tirupati district on Tuesday, Pawan Kalyan emphasized that ISRO's remarkable journey is the result of countless scientists' hard work and dedication, often at the cost of personal sacrifices.

The Dy CM recalled ISRO's evolution from humble beginnings in Thumba, Kerala to becoming a world-leading space agency, capable of launching 104 satellites in a single mission. He noted that India has made its mark in the global space economy, with ISRO now capturing 2-3% of the sector and contributing significantly to India's GDP. The Dy CM highlighted ISRO's cost-effective missions, pointing out that India's Mars mission cost less than a Hollywood movie budget.

The NDA government's prioritization of space research was commended by Kalyan. He particularly praised Prime Minister Modi's encouragement to scientists even after setbacks, citing the PM's personal visit to console ISRO scientists after the Chandrayaan-2 mission's partial failure. This support, Pavan Kalyan noted, was instrumental in the subsequent success of Chandrayaan-3.

The Dy CM announced plans for an MoU between the Andhra Pradesh government and ISRO. This agreement aims to foster interest in space research among AP students and youth, providing guidance and inspiration for careers in the field. The Dy CM stressed the importance of channeling the curiosity of AP's youth in the right direction and pledged the state government's full cooperation with ISRO's initiatives.

The celebrations included the presentation of a Chandrayaan-3 rocket model to Pawan Kalyan and the distribution of awards to student competition winners. SDSC SHAR director A Rajarajan and other senior officials were present at the event, underscoring the importance of nurturing scientific talent and curiosity among the younger generation for India's continued progress in space exploration.

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