India’s Chandrayaan-3 has made history with its successful soft landing on the south pole of the moon on Wednesday.

Prime minister Narendra Modi, who is in South Africa for the BRICS summit, joined the ISRO team via video conferencing to witness the landing of Chandrayaan 3 on the moon’s surface. Immediately after the successful landing, he addressed the team and congratulated them for the historic achievement.

He said that such historic events become the eternal consciousness of a nation. “This moment is unforgettable, unprecedented. It is the moment of the clarion call of ‘Vikasit Bharat’, a victory call for India, this is a moment of crossing the ocean of difficulties and walking on the ‘Chandrapath’ of victory. This is a moment of the capability of the 140 crore heartbeats and the confidence of the new energy of India. This is a moment of invoking the rising fortune of India.

“In the first light of ‘Amrit Kaal’ this is ‘Amrit Varsha’ of success”, a visibly elated PM added. He quoted the scientists and said, “India is now on the moon!” He stated that we have just witnessed the first flight of the new India.

He said that every Indian had immersed themselves in celebration and it was a day of festivity for every family as he was connected with every citizen with enthusiasm on this special occasion. The PM congratulated Team Chandrayaan, ISRO and all the scientists of the country who have worked tirelessly for years and also congratulated the 140 crore countrymen for this wonderful moment filled with enthusiasm, joy and emotion!

“India has reached the South Pole of the Moon where no country in the world could reach to date with the dedication and talent of our scientists,” Modi remarked.

Addressing “the people of the world, every country and region”, he said, “India’s successful moon mission is not India’s alone. This is a year in which the world is witnessing India’s G-20 presidency. Our approach of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’ is resonating across the globe. This human-centric approach that we represent has been welcomed universally. Our moon mission is also based on the same human-centric approach. Therefore, this success belongs to all of humanity. And it will help moon missions by other countries in the future.” Shri Modi added. “I am confident that all countries in the world, including those from the Global South are capable of achieving such feats. We can all Aspire for the moon and beyond.”

Modi expressed confidence that the achievements of Chandrayaan Maha Abhiyan will take India's flight beyond the lunar orbits. “We’ll test the limits of our solar system, and work to realize the infinite possibilities of the universe for humans,” he asserted. He highlighted setting ambitious goals for the future and informed that ISRO is soon going to launch the ‘Aditya L-1’ mission for a detailed study of the Sun. He also touched upon Venus being one of ISRO’s goals. “India is proving again and again that the sky is not the limit”, the Prime Minister said as he highlighted Mission Gaganyaan where India is fully prepared for its first human space flight mission.