Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his address to the scientists of ISRO in Bengaluru, revealed that the lunar site where Chandrayaan-3’s lander, Vikram, made contact will now be designated as ‘Shiv Shakti Point’. The announcement took place at the ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC), where PM Modi arrived to extend his congratulations to the team responsible for the momentous Chandrayaan-3 mission.
PM Modi elaborated on the significance of this decision, mentioning that it’s customary to christen the specific point of lunar touchdown. India has followed suit and chosen to officially name the location where the Vikram lander landed. The chosen appellation, ‘Shiv Shakti Point’, is a nod to the dedication, ingenuity, and empowerment demonstrated by the women scientists who contributed to the project.
In a related development, the spot on the Moon where Chandrayaan-2’s Vikram lander had an unfortunate crash landing back in 2019 has now been given the name ‘Tiranga Point’. PM Modi explained that although the decision to name the location wasn’t taken immediately following the incident, the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 has created the right juncture for this acknowledgment. Given the prevailing sentiment of national unity symbolized by the phrase “Har Ghar Tiranga” (Every Home, the Tricolor) and the presence of the Indian flag on the Moon, naming the site ‘Tiranga Point’ seemed apt – signifying India’s inaugural connection with the lunar surface.
PM Modi went on to introduce another noteworthy announcement – the declaration of August 23 as National Space Day in honor of Chandrayaan-3’s landing date. This day will be dedicated to celebrating the marvels of science and technology, fostering inspiration for forthcoming generations.
During his visit to ISTRAC, the Prime Minister was welcomed by ISRO’s chief, S Somanath, and other distinguished scientists. In his interaction with the space agency’s scientists, PM Modi expressed his admiration for their monumental achievement, considering it a source of inspiration for the contemporary era. He emphasized that this achievement has spotlighted India’s prowess in the realm of science and technology on the global stage.
On Wednesday, India’s Chandrayaan-3 lander, Vikram, achieved a successful lunar landing. The lander is equipped with six scientific instruments, including the rover Pragyan, which will embark on a 14-day mission to gather data from our celestial neighbor, Earth’s closest cosmic companion.
