'Historic Moment, Sounds Bugle For Developed India': PM Modi Congratulates ISRO As Chandrayaan Lands On Moon

Chandrayaan 3 Landing: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in South Africa to attend the BRICS Summit, virtually witnessed the historic landing of Chandrayaan 3.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in South Africa, virtually witnessed the historic landing attempt on the lunar surface ( Image Source :ISRO/X )

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday called the Chandrayaan-3's soft landing on the Moon "historic" and said it sounded the bugle for a "developed India". Modi, who is in South Africa to attend the BRICS Summit, virtually witnessed the historic landing of Chandrayaan 3.

"We are witness to the new flight of new India. New history has been written. This is a moment to cherish forever. India is now on the moon," PM Modi said in opening remarks.

PM Modi said the Moon mission was not just India's alone and the success belongs to all of humanity.

"This is a year in which the world is witnessing India’s G20 presidency. Our approach of 'One Earth, One Family, One Future' is resonating across the globe," the PM said.

"Kabhi kaha jata tha chanda mama bahut door ke hain, ab ek din wo bhi ayega jab bacche kaha karenge chanda mama bass ek tour ke hain (Once upon a time it was said that Chanda Mama (Moon) is far away. Now, one day too will come when children will say that the Moon is just a tour away)," the Prime Minister further said.

PM Modi also said India had set new, ambitious spce exploration targets for the future as he mentioned about missions to explore the Sun and other planets.

Celebrations broke out at ISRO's Mission Operations Complex in Bengaluru as the lander (Vikram), which carries a rover (Pragyan) in its belly, touched down near the south polar region of the Moon. With the acheievement, India becomes the first country to reach the south pole of Earth's only natural satellite.

"No other country has been able to land on this side of moon before. This will change all narratives and stories about moon," the PM said.

India also becomes only the fourth country to make a soft-landing on the Moon's surface after the US, China and the erstwhile Soviet Union. The mission, worth Rs 600 crore, was launched onboard Launch Vehicle Mark-III (LVM-3) rocket on July 14.