Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the launch of the Chandrayaan-3 mission in the 104th episode of Mann Ki Baat on Sunday, noting the involvement of women scientists and engineers in the country’s space program. These women “have handled many important responsibilities, from project director to project manager of different systems,” Mr. Modi said.
“When everyone’s efforts converged, success was also achieved,” he said on the moon mission. “The success of Chandrayaan has increased manifold the festive atmosphere.”
India is “fully prepared” for the G20 Leaders’ Summit to be held in New Delhi next month, Mr. Modi said. “India has made G20 a more inclusive space. It was at India’s invitation that the African Union was also able to participate, and that the voice of the people of Africa has reached this important platform.”
Editorial |On the moon, over the moon
Mr. Modi congratulated young athletes who bagged medals at the Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games held in China — the games had been postponed to 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and only concluded this month. India won 26 gold medals, a record for the country; Mr. Modi said that in all previous editions of the event combined, India only won 18 medals since 1959 at WUG editions.
Mr. Modi interacted with and congratulated Abhidnya Ashok Patil, 24, who won a gold medal at the women’s 10m air pistol competition with Yashaswini Singh Deswal and Manu Bhaker; Pragati, 19, who won a gold medal with Aman Saini in the compound mixed team archery event; Amlan Borgohain, 25, who took bronze at the men’s 200 metre event; and Priyanka, 27, who took bronze in the women’s 20 kilometre walk event with Pooja Kumawat, Mansi Negi and Nikita Lamba.
1.5 crore flags were purchased from 1.5 lakh post offices, Mr. Modi said, hailing the success of the Har Ghar Tiranga Abhiyaan. “Last year till August 15, about 5 crore countrymen had posted a selfie with the tricolour,” Mr. Modi said. “This year this number has also crossed 10 crores.”
Mr. Modi spoke of the Amrit Kalash Yatra, where “there will be a campaign to collect soil from every house in every village of the country” in September and “the holy soil of the country will be deposited in thousands of Amrit Kalash urns” in October.
He also praised the progress in Sanskrit learning, noting that much knowledge of yoga, ayurveda and philosophy had been preserved in the language. Many universities were offering Sanskrit programs, he said, with two Sanskrit deemed universities being upgraded to central universities in 2020.
The Prime Minister conveyed his wishes for Telugu Language Day, coming up on August 29. “Many priceless gems of Indian culture are hidden in the literature and heritage of Telugu language,” Mr. Modi said. “Many efforts are also being made to ensure that the whole country gets the benefit of this heritage of Telugu.”
Mr. Modi highlighted the efforts of K. Dhanapal, a retired Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation bus driver who was transferred to the Bengaluru Darshini, and took up an interest in studying ancient inscriptions with ties to the city; and speleologist Brian Dermot Kharpran Daly of Meghalaya, whose exploration of several caves earned him the Tenzing Norgay National Award for Adventure in 2004.
Mr. Modi invoked the success of the dairy sector in reducing costs by relying on the railways’ Truck-on-Track facility, which he said halved the 30 hour transport duration for Banas Dairy in Gujarat. “Due to this, whereas the pollution caused by fuel has stopped, the cost of fuel is also saved,” he said. “Drivers of trucks have also benefited a lot from this, their life has become easier.”
