Sriharikota: The PSLV had yet another flawless lift-off on Monday, but the Indian space establishment got a bigger boost from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who heaped praise on the innovation and frugality of scientists and took diplomacy to a new level.
Speaking after the rocket launch at Sriharikota, Mr Modi asked space scientists to develop a satellite that India could dedicate to its neighbouring countries as a “gift”.
In his second diplomatic masterstroke after inviting the SAARC heads for his swearing-in, he wanted “a satellite that provides a full range of applications and services to all our neighbours”.
“I also ask you to enlarge the footprint of our satellite-based navigation system to cover all of South Asia,” Mr Modi said. Notably, Mr Modi spoke in English so that his message would reach a wider audience.
In a widely-appreciated speech Mr Modi covered India’s scientific odyssey from the “shunya” (zero) to the Mars Mission.
“There is this story of our Mars mission costing less than Hollywood movie Gravity. I have heard that Mars mission’s expense is lesser than Gravity,” he said.
