Indian Space Research Organisation chief S Somnath exclaimed "India is on the Moon" as Chandrayaan-3 successfully touched down on the surface of the Moon. On Wednesday, Chandrayaan-3 reached Moon making India the fourth country in the world to achieve the feat and the first country to reach near Moon's south pole. As the country watched Chandrayaan-3 reach the Moon, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also joined from South Africa where he attended the 15th BRICS Summit and congratulated the ISRO team on the achievement.
"Sir we have achieved soft landing on the Moon. India is on the Moon," Somnath told PM Modi who cheered up by waving the flag of India.
Chandrayaan-3's Project Director, P Veeramuthuvel called it an "immense satisfaction" while the Mission Director thanked each and every member of the team.
"We have become the first country to go near the South Pole of the Moon," Veeramuthuvel said.
As the nation witnessed the history in making, Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined from South Africa where he is currently present to attend the 15th BRICS Summit. "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.
"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 achievement, India becomes the first country to reach the south pole of Earth's only natural satellite.