India will mark its presence soon on Moon

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that India will soon mark its presence on the Moon with the Chandrayaan-2 mission and appreciated the use of space technology in saving assets and life and in delivering government schemes.

"We have created a world record for launching 104 satellites simultaneously from the same spacecraft. We will soon register India's presence on the Moon through the Chandrayaan-2 campaign," Modi said in this year’s first 'Mann Ki Baat' monthly radio address. He said Indian satellites symbolise the country's growing power and help in establishing better relations with other countries.

"It has contributed a great deal in fostering better relations with many countries of the world. The 'South Asia Satellite' has been a unique initiative, which has gifted hues of development to our neighbouring allies," Modi said.

"Through its highly competitive launch services, today India not only propels satellites of developing countries but also those of developed nations." Modi said the government is using space technology in delivering government schemes as well as maintaining accountability in government programmes.

Giving an example, he said the 'Housing For All' scheme involves geo-tagging of about 40 lakh houses spread over 23 states. Along with this, more than 30.5 million properties under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act have also been tagged.

Appreciating the use of space technology in devices for saving assets and life, he said: "Whether it is cyclone, or rail and road safety, all of these safety measures are being augmented by space technology."

Modi also mentioned that the number of successful space missions attempted since the country's independence until 2014 have been equal to those successfully completed in the past four years.