Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 27 said that assuming the G20 presidency was a huge opportunity for India and that the country must utilise it by focusing on global good. He said this during his monthly radio broadcast, “Mann Ki Baat”.
India will officially assume the G20 presidency from the current chair Indonesia on December 1. Speaking on the topic further, Prime Minister Modi said that India was capable of providing solutions to the varied challenges being faced globally.
Opinion | India’s G20 presidency and food security
“India will assume presidentship of powerful grouping G20 on December 1. For India it is a huge opportunity. India must utilise opportunity of G20 leadership by focusing on global good and welfare,” he said. “Be it peace or unity, sensitivity towards environment or sustainable development, India has solution to challenges related to all such things,” he added.
He mentioned that he received a handwoven G20 logo woven by Yeldhi Hariprasad of Sircilla district in Telangana, along with a letter stating that it was a matter of great pride for India to host the G20 Summit next year. “I was very happy to see how connected even a person sitting in a district in Telangana could feel with a summit like G20,” said Prime Minister Modi adding that he had received letters and messages from people across the country expressing similar sentiments.
The G20 comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the U.K., the U.S. and the European Union.
Also read |Welcome pragmatism: On India’s G20 presidency
Prime Minister Modi also spoke about the power of music, and the spread of Indian music. He made a mention of Greek musician Konstantinos Kalaitzis, and played out the singer’s version of “Vaishnava Janato”, Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite bhajan. He said that the fame of Indian music had spread far and wide, with India exporting a large number of musical instruments to aficionados abroad, and Indian musical traditions in Guyana and other countries where centuries ago Indians had settled.
PTI adds:
Launch of ‘Vikram-S’ heralded new era for private space sector in India
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 27 said the launch of ‘Vikram S’ rocket heralded a “new era” for the private space sector in India as he hailed the sector’s contribution in the sphere of space technology.
PM Modi said that on November 18, the whole country witnessed “new history” being made in the space sector.
“On this day, India sent its first such rocket into space, which was designed and prepared by the private sector of India. The name of this rocket is – ‘Vikram-S’. As soon as this first rocket of the indigenous Space Start-up made a historic flight from Sriharikota, the heart of every Indian swelled with pride,” he noted.
India on November 18 successfully launched the first privately made rocket, developed by a four year-old startup, marking the entry of the private sector into the country’s space ecosystem which is currently dominated by the state-run behemoth ISRO.
The rocket, Vikram-S named in a befitting tribute to the father of the country’s space programme Vikram Sarabhai, tasted success in its maiden mission.
Elaborating on the special features of ‘Vikram-S’ Rocket, Mr. Modi said that it is lighter than other rockets, and also cheaper. Its development cost is much less than the cost incurred by other countries involved in space missions, he said.
Mr. Modi said that in space technology, world class standard at a low cost, has now become the hallmark of India, highlighting how some crucial parts of this rocket have been made through 3D printing.
“Surely, the name ‘Prarambh’ given to the launch mission of ‘Vikram-S’, suits it perfectly. This marks the dawn of a new era for the private space sector in India. This is the beginning of a new era full of self-confidence for the country.
Children, who once made paper airplanes and flew them, are now getting a chance to make airplanes in India itself. Children, who once used to draw shapes in the sky looking at the moon and stars, are now getting a chance to make rockets in India itself, he said.
Stating how India is sharing its success in the space sector with its neighbouring countries, Mr. Modi mentioned how India launched a satellite, which has been jointly developed by India and Bhutan.
“This satellite will send pictures of very good resolution which will help Bhutan in the management of its natural resources. The launching of this satellite is a reflection of the strong Indo-Bhutan relations,” he said.
Mr. Modi said ‘Mann Ki Baat’ has been focussing on space, technology and innovation because of the good work being done by the youth in these fields.
“They are thinking big and achieving big. Now they are not going to be satisfied with small achievements. Secondly, in this exciting journey of innovation and value creation, they are also encouraging their other young colleagues and start-ups,” he said.
Speaking on drones, Mr. Modi said India is also moving fast in this field.
Mentioning the recent transportation of apples through drones in Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh, Modi reflected on how technology became a solution for difficult connectivity issues faced by the snow-bound region.
“Now with the help of drone technology, delicious Kinnauri apples of Himachal will start reaching people more quickly. This will reduce the expenditure of our farmer brothers and sisters — apples will reach the market on time, there will be less wastage of apples.
“Today, our countrymen are making things possible with their innovations, which could not even be imagined earlier. Who would not be happy to see this? In recent years, our country has undertaken a long journey of achievements. I have full faith that we Indians and especially our young generation are not going to stop now,” he said.
