Hollywood film Gravity cost more than our Mars mission: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised India’s space programme and talked about the importance of technology at Sriharikota, as he witnessed the launch of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) C-23 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.

“This fills every Indian heart with joy,” said Narendra Modi, adding that this achievement “puts India in an elite international group of 5 to 6 countries.”

Modi then praised India’s efforts in space research and technology. “Despite hurdles, generations of scientists have worked to make India an independent powerhouse of space research,” he said.

India’s space programme stands out as the most cost-effective globally, according to the Prime Minister. “Our Mars mission is cheaper than the Hollywood movie ‘Gravity’,” said the PM.

Modi then stressed on the basic connection between technology and the common man. “Many consider space research to be area of the elites. We have to correct this mistaken idea,” he said.

“Technology opens up new opportunities of development. Technology empowers children with education through long-distance learning. Satellite technology has made distance irrelevant,” Modi added.

Talking about how space technology has also helped in disaster management and has saved countless lives, Modi also said, “Space imagery is improving our land management system by helping bring wasteland to productive use.”

Modi also asked scientists to start working on a SAARC satellite that should be given as a gift by India to her neighbours. He said that this would not only benefit India but it will help neighbours as well. The Prime Minister also stressed on building an interactive space museum.

“India’s space programme is a perfect example of scale, speed and skill,” said PM Modi as he ended his speech.