Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his latest Mann Ki Baat broadcast, lauded the growing interest in space exploration among Indian youth, highlighting the remarkable rise of over 200 startups in the country’s space sector. He praised astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s safe return from space, saying it triggered a wave of national pride and optimism across the country.
PM Modi emphasised that this event has sparked a new surge of interest in space, particularly among children, boosting the country’s ambition in space science. He highlighted that the startup ecosystem in the Indian space sector has expanded significantly in recent years. “Five years ago, there were fewer than 50 startups. “Today, that number has surpassed 200 in the space sector alone,” he stated.
He emphasised that the journey to a developed India — Viksit Bharat — must begin with self-reliance, and he called for a vocal for local cause as the foundation of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
PM also expressed delight in the recognition of 12 Maratha forts as UNESCO World Heritage monuments, calling it a moment of national honour.
