“The Sky is Not the Limit, It’s Just the Beginning”, says PM Modi

• PM Modi addressed the 18th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics via a video message to over 300 participants from 64 countries.
• He highlighted India’s rich history in science and astronomy, citing Aryabhatta and modern facilities like the Ladakh observatory and the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope.
• The Prime Minister showcased recent achievements, including the Chandrayaan-3 moon landing and Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s mission to the International Space Station.

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 12th Aug: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday addressed the 18th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics, warmly welcoming over 300 participants from 64 countries to India via a video message. The Prime Minister began his address by stating that in India, “tradition meets innovation, spirituality meets science, and curiosity meets creativity.” He highlighted India’s long history of sky observation, citing the 5th-century contributions of Aryabhatta, who invented zero and first stated that the Earth rotates on its own axis.

Showcasing India’s modern scientific capabilities, the Prime Minister spoke of the country’s astronomical observatories, including one of the world’s highest in Ladakh, situated at 4,500 meters above sea level. He also mentioned the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope in Pune, calling it one of the world’s most sensitive radio telescopes. He also noted India’s proud contributions to global mega-science projects like the Square Kilometre Array and LIGO-India.

The Prime Minister took the opportunity to highlight recent milestones in India’s space program. He recalled the historic Chandrayaan-3 mission, which successfully landed near the Moon’s South Pole, and the Aditya-L1 solar observatory, which monitors solar activity. He also celebrated Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s recent mission to the International Space Station, calling it a proud moment for all Indians.

Affirming India’s commitment to nurturing scientific curiosity, PM Modi spoke about the government’s initiatives to empower young minds. He mentioned that over 10 million students are engaging in hands-on STEM experimentation through Atal Tinkering Labs. He also noted the “One Nation One Subscription” scheme, which provides free access to international scientific journals, and highlighted India’s leadership in the participation of women in STEM fields.

Encouraging the young participants to think beyond personal achievement, the Prime Minister urged them to consider how their work in space science could benefit humanity on Earth. He posed questions about improving weather forecasts for farmers, predicting natural disasters, and monitoring forest fires. He concluded by thanking the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research for organizing the Olympiad and left the participants with a message of encouragement: “in India, we believe that the sky is not the limit, it’s just the beginning!”