?IT gave me immense happiness to learn about the successful launch of Chandrayaan – I, which is India'sfirst mission to the moon. I heartily congratulate the team of scientists and engineers at ISRO led by its Chairman Shri G. Madhavan Nair, who have contributed to the success of this inspiring project.
?I am proud to note that this visionary project was conceived by the NDA Government under the able leadership of Prime Minister Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee. On August 15, 2003, he had announced it in his Address to the Nation from the ramparts of Red Fort in memorable words, ?Our country is now ready to fly high in the field of science. I am pleased to announce that India will send her own spacecraft to the moon by 2008. It is being named Chandrayaan-1.?
?It is to the credit of India'sscientists that they have realised this dream in all its fullness and through a self-reliant endeavour. This is a scientific feat of no small measure and marks a high point of Indian science. India now joins that small group of countries that are capable of placing a spacecraft far beyond the orbit of our planet.
?I dream of the day, not in the distant future, when India will send a manned mission to the moon and also several other space missions beyond. I am sure that our scientists will realise this dream.?
