President witnesses successful PSLV launch

Hailing Indian Space Research Organisation for its track record in launches, President Pranab Mukerjee on Monday said the country was looking forward to the success of homegrown GSLV mission.

After witnessing the successful launch of PSLV C20 carrying Indo-French satellite SARAL and six foreign spacecraft from the spaceport here, located about 110 km from Chennai, he also congratulated the ISRO team for the feat and wished success for its future ventures including the Mars Mission scheduled later this year.

"The PSLV has become a household name in our country and this mission would only reaffirm this position through its efficacy, accuracy and reliability of this launch vehicle," he said, adding India's launch capabilities had been acknowledged the world over, with ISRO increasingly launching overseas satellites.

Monday's launch was an 'important manifestation' of India's bilateral cooperation with foreign countries in the field of space technology, he said. "This mission epitomises the spirit of Indo-French partnership which we have built up over the decades."

He noted that over the past years, ISRO had successfully accomplished several missions including Cartosat, RISAT I and a number of PSLV launches. "The entire nation is eagerly looking forward for the successful flight of the GSLV with indigenous cryogenic stage," he said.

"The planned experimental mission of GSLV Mak III is a huge step forward in the development of heavylift space transportation system in the country," the President said, adding India's first lunar mission, Chandrayaan I also had made the country proud.

"Our Chandrayaan-I mission made the country proud. I am also confident that the first Indian interplanetary venture, the Mars orbitary mission (scheduled for) this year to be successful and place India in the ranks of a few nations that have attempted such a feat," he noted.

Recalling former PM Jawaharlal Nehru's words, he said the leader had firmly supported science to put a nation in the path of development.

Stressing the need for promotion of innovation, Mukherjee said, "For India to occupy its rightful place in the comity of nations, we have to promote innovation and technological advancement. ISRO should be in the forefront of this. I am sure ISRO will be the nerve centre of innovation and creativity," he said.