Man Ki Baat: PM Modi praises astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla; says new wave of curiosity for space among kids

NEW DELHI: Ahead of the National Space Day, PM Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted India's growing capabilities in space sector, mentioning the achievement of IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's recent journey to International Space Station, talked about a new wave of curiosity about space among children and pointed out that today more than 200 startups have come up in the space sector alone.Talking about Shubhanshu Shukla, who was one of the four crew members of the Axiom-4 mission to ISS, PM Modi, in his 124th 'Mann Ki Baat' episode, said, “We shall touch upon the successes of the country; the achievements of the countrymen.” He said when Shukla landed back on Earth, a “wave of happiness rippled through every heart” and added that the “whole country was filled with pride.”PM Modi also highlighted how the success of Isro's Chandrayaan-3 mission created an atmosphere of curiosity in the country for space endeavours.“I remember, when Chandrayaan-3 successfully landed in August 2023, a new ambience was created in the country. A new curiosity also arose among children about science, about space. Little children now say, we will also go to space; we will also land on the Moon — we will become space scientists," PM Modi said.PM Modi specifically mentioned the 'INSPIRE-MANAK Abhiyan,' which promotes innovation among children by providing them with a platform to develop innovative ideas rooted in science.

“In this, five children are selected from each school. Each child brings up a new idea. So far, lakhs of children have joined this, and after Chandrayaan-3, their number has doubled,” he said.PM noted a rise in India's space startups, pointing out that the number has almost quadrupled in the last five years. “Five years ago, there were fewer than 50 start-ups. Today, there are more than 200," he said.Further noting the upcoming National Space Day on August 23, PM Modi said, "How will you celebrate it...,

do you have any new ideas? Do send me a message on the NaMo App”. PM Modi also mentioned the recent achievements of students in the science and mathematics fields, giving a shout-out to the brightest minds.“In 21st-century India, science is progressing with renewed energy. A few days ago, our students won medals in the International Chemistry Olympiad. India has also strengthened its image in the world of mathematics.

In the International Mathematical Olympiad held in Australia, our students won 3 Gold, 2 Silver and 1 Bronze medal," PM Modi said. He also announced that an Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad is going to be held in Mumbai next month.

This will be the biggest Olympiad to date, he noted. The PM also hailed the development of Unesco recognising 12 Maratha forts as World Heritage Sites. “Eleven forts in Maharashtra; one in Tamil Nadu.

Each fort has a chapter of history attached to it. Every stone is a testimony to a historical event... Salher Fort, where the Mughals were defeated, Shivneri, where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was born. A fort that is unbreachable for the enemy. Khanderi Fort is an amazing fort built in the middle of the sea,” he said.“The enemy wanted to stop him, but Shivaji Maharaj made the impossible possible. Pratapgarh Fort, where Afzal Khan was defeated, the echo of that saga still remains entrenched in the walls of the fort.

Vijaydurg, which had secret tunnels, is proof of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's farsightedness. I visited Raigad a few years ago... bowed in front of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue. This experience will stay with me all my life,” Modi said.He said sometimes a task comes across as impossible to some people, but when the country comes together on one thought, even the impossible becomes possible. “'Swachh Bharat Mission' is the biggest example of this.

Soon, this mission will complete 11 years. But its strength and its need are still the same,” he said.In these 11 years, ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’ has become a mass movement, and people consider it their duty, and this is real public participation, Modi said. “The Swachh Survey conducted every year has lifted this feeling further. This year, more than 4500 cities and towns of the country joined it. More than 15 crore people participated in it. This is not an ordinary number. This is the voice of Swachh Bharat,” he said.