PM Narendra Modi addressing the MCC (I'll keep editing, to limit the number of comments)
"Congratulations to everybody"
Notice that he's speaking in English. Which he hardly ever does. International marketing to the hilt!
"This is one domain where we are at the international cutting edge. A domain in which we have pushed beyond mediocrity to achieve excellence"
Talking about the commercial aspect of today's launch.
Credits Chandrayaan to Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji's inspiration. Says he personally follows Mangalyaan.
Refers to IRNSS/GAGAN and says that it will be operational in 2015.
Talking about the resource limitations of our space program. The usual pat on the back for being "most cost-effective", and doing things indigenously despite obstacles.
Refers to Mangalyaan being cheaper than "Gravity"
Our scientists have shown the world a new paradigm of frugal engineering and the power of imagination.
Our success has deep historical roots. Clever Hindi wordplay. Upanishads --> Upagrah (Satellites).
A mention of the Indian invention of zero, and the contribution of ancient Indian scientists - Bhaskaracharya, Aryabhatta...
I think he's channeling his inner Sarabhai now. "Many misunderstand space technology to be for the elite."
"It is our first responsibility to eliminate this perception."
"Scientific advancement ultimately helps the common man."
"Sometimes we only realise the value of a body part when we lose it"
Reassuring the scientists about the same.
A mention of tele-education and tele-medicine. Talking about the employment opportunities offered to the youth (his biggest demo) by space technology. Talking about how it bridges physical divides.
Talking about GIS driven watershed development being driven by policy, and how it helps in urban development (again, appealing to another of his demos - the urban poor, and urban middle class).
"Our next endeavour should be to extend the same to land-records. Our law requires that land-records be updated atleast every thirty years." He says that the scientists are carrying out the work of Todar Mal! lol. Now talking about disaster management.
"India's space program is thus driven by a desire of service to humanity, not by a pursuit of power. We must therefore, share the fruits of our technological development with those who do not enjoy the same. The developing world, and our neighbours in particular."
Benefits of telemedicine being provided to Afghanistan, and African countries, as well as sharing disaster management data.
"Today, I ask our space community to take up the challenge of developing a
SAARC satellite - that we can dedicate to our neighbourhood as a gift satellite. A satellite that offers the full range of applications and services to them." To help in their fight against poverty, instability, and help them in the challenges of educating their populace, and - so that we can also partake in their development.
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I propose that you enlarge the footprints of our satellite base navigation system to cover all of South Asia."Continued progress in space must remain a national mission.
"We must also strengthen our international partnership in all areas of space technology. India has a potential for becoming the launch service provider of the world. We should construct our new launch infrastructure, and develop the capability to launch heavier satellites."
"Development of HR will be critical to our future success. Let us link up with more universities and colleges to develop our future leaders in this area. I was very happy that I got to meet four generations of scientists here. This in itself is a sign of development. We must also involve our youth, at large, in space."
A reference to the
Bhuvan space portal. What steps can we take to increase the sharing of data? What about a state of the art, interactive, digital space museum?
"In conclusion, I want to emphasise how technology is central to development."
Ends by wishing ISRO the best for MOI.
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