India’s Space Sector Surges Ahead with Successful Launch of Foreign Satellites, Says Union Minister
In a significant development highlighting India’s growing prominence in the global space industry, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh revealed that out of the total 424 foreign satellites launched by India to date, a remarkable 389 were successfully launched within the past nine years under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This impressive feat solidifies India’s position as a pre-eminent player in the world of space exploration.
During an exclusive interview with DD News, Dr. Jitendra Singh disclosed that the Indian space sector has not only achieved remarkable progress but has also reaped substantial financial benefits. Out of the total earnings of 174 million US dollars, an overwhelming 157 million were amassed in the past nine years alone. Similarly, out of the 256 million Euros earned thus far, a staggering 223 million were generated during the nine years of the Modi regime.
Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that India’s space prowess extends beyond rocket launches. The nation’s space applications have become a thriving source of livelihood opportunities through the emergence of 130 innovative start-ups since the opening up of the space sector in June 2020, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi. Furthermore, esteemed technical institutes in Trivandrum, Jammu, and Agartala boast 100 percent placement records, with approximately 50 percent of graduates pursuing higher studies at NASA.
The minister also highlighted the diverse applications of space technology in sectors such as railways, highways, agriculture, water mapping, smart cities, telemedicine, and robotic surgery. These advancements have significantly improved the quality of life for the common man, making space technology an integral part of households across India.
Notably, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) recently made headlines by successfully launching a record-breaking 104 satellites aboard the PSLV-C37 from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota. Impressively, 101 of these satellites belonged to international customers, underscoring India’s expanding presence in the global space industry. Additionally, India is on the cusp of realizing its indigenous human space mission, Gaganyaan, which will make it the fourth country, after the United States, Russia, and China, to send humans into space.
Discussing India’s remarkable start-up revolution, Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the substantial growth in the number of start-ups since Prime Minister Modi’s special StartUp scheme was introduced in 2016. Prior to 2014, India had only around 350 start-ups, but today the number has surged past one lakh, with over 100 unicorns. The biotech sector has also witnessed exponential growth, with start-ups increasing from a mere 52 in 2014 to over 5,500 in 2022.
Addressing the nation’s youth, Dr. Jitendra Singh encouraged them to seize the abundant opportunities presented by the Modi government’s transformative initiatives. He emphasized that this is the “Best of the Times” for India, with numerous avenues waiting to be explored. He further stressed the need for a change in mindset and highlighted the alignment of the National Education Policy-2020 with the vision of a “Naya Bharat” (New India). With the government’s steadfast support and a conducive environment, the youth of India have the liberty to redefine their aspirations and chart their own path to success.
