PM ADDS SPACE TO HIS ELECTION CV as nation demonstrates its ability to shoot down a satellite
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday made a dramatic televised announcement that India now has the capability to shoot down a satellite in space, which has put it in the orbit of a four countries that have such expertise.
The nation was told, as it waited with bated breath, that a decommissioned low orbit Indian satellite was destroyed within three minutes by an Anti-Satellite Missile. The televised address came a fortnight before the start of the general election. The last time Modi had addressed the nation was on November 8, 2016, when he announced the demonetisation of high value currency notes.
There were anxious moments before the address, as it was slated to start at 11:45 but was delayed by over half an hour, igniting much speculation about what was in the offing. “Do watch the address on television, radio or social media,” PM Modi had tweeted in the build-up to the address, which was preceded by a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security.
As he congratulated the DRDO scientists, PM Modi put the nation at ease, saying that the action was not directed at any nation and the target satellite was placed in low earth orbit some days ago. He also stressed that India had not violated any international law or agreement. It was essentially aimed at demonstrating the country’s capability and would deter enemies from mounting a war from space.
“This is a big moment for India, something all of us should be proud of. We are not just capable of defending on land, water and air, but now also in space. I congratulate all scientists who have made this possible and made India a much stronger nation,” PM Modi said, ending his speech with “Bharat Mata ki Jai”.
The announcement was followed by tweets by ministers and other top leaders of the ruling BJP, with the hashtag “Namumkin Ab Mumkin Hai.” The first to congratulate the PM was Union Minister Nitin Gadkari for turning India into not only a super economic power but also a “super science power.”
In another tweet, the PM elaborated: “#MissionShakti was a highly complex one, conducted at extremely high speed with remarkable precision. It shows the remarkable dexterity of India’s outstanding scientists and the success of our space programme.’’ He also highlighted the fact that the entire effort was indigenous and India stands tall as a space power
