PM Modi Marks Aryabhata’s Golden Jubilee, Hails India as Global Space Power

Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated the 50th anniversary of India's maiden satellite, Aryabhata, calling it a symbol of the nation's journey from humble roots to global space leadership. Quoting the Mann Ki Baat speech, Modi remembered how young scientists, motivated by passion and service, built Aryabhata with few resources-hauling equipment on bullock carts and bicycles. Today, he added, India is a "global space power," having set records like launching 104 satellites in one mission and being the first country to land near the Moon's south pole with Chandrayaan-3. Modi spoke of ongoing missions like Gaganyaan, SpaDeX, and future Venus and Mars missions, and congratulated India's booming space startups-now numbering over 325. He acknowledged ISRO's heritage and vision, declaring India's space program one of the world's most economical and in demand for global collaborations. Sources: ANI, Mid-Day, NewsX, Economic Times