Mars mission a shining symbol of what we are capable: Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated the scientists and termed it as a historical moment. He was in Bangalore to witness the Indian spacecraft enter the Martian orbit early on Wednesday at the Indian Space Research Organisation.

Zee Media Bureau/Ritu Singh:

Bangalore: As Mangalyaan entered the Martian orbit, a beaming Prime Minister, Narendra Modi congratulated the scientists and termed it as a proud moment for the country. He was in Bangalore to witness the Indian spacecraft enter the Martian orbit early on Wednesday at the Indian Space Research Organisation.

After the remarkable achievement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed ISRO scientists and the country on the success of Mangalyaan and praised their brilliance and hard work through which the impossible was achieved.

In his address he said: “History has been created, we have dared to reach out to the unknown. India has created history today, We have reached which was nearly impossible.”

With today’s spectacular success, ISRO joins an elite group, of only 3 other agencies worldwide to have successfully reached red planet: PM

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 24, 2014

He reiterated the fact that inspite of the odds, India prevailed in its maiden mission, an accomplishment which will go down as a landmark. He further said, “Travelling an incredible distance, of over 650 million or 65 crore kms,we have gone beyond boundaries, of human enterprise & imagination”.

He noted that the spacecraft had been put together in a record time with a mere three years of studying its feasibility, which was matter of pride for Indians.

PM Modi also didn't forget to remember his mentor Atal Bihari Vajpayee and said , "Atal ji’s vision, had inspired us, to reach for the moon. The successful Chandrayan mission, in turn led, to the Mars Orbiter Mission".

He said the success of India's space programme is a shining symbol of "what we are capable of as a nation".

Let today’s success, drive us with even greater vigour, and conviction. Let’s set ourselves, even more challenging goals: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 24, 2014

"Modern India must continue playing this leading role of 'Jagad-guru Bharat'. Our efforts have historically focussed on ultimate objective of nation-building. Of translating space technology into space applications," he said.

The Prime minister concluded his speech with a quote from Gurudev Tagore.