The spot on the Moon where Chandrayaan-3’s lander Vikram touched down will be known as ‘Shiv Shakti Point’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Saturday while addressing the scientists of the ISRO.
“It is a convention to name the spot of the touchdown on the moon. And India too has now decided to name the point where Vikram lander touched down. That point will now be known as ‘Shiv Shakti Point’,” PM Modi said. “The ‘Shakti’ in the name ‘Shiv Shakti’ comes from the hard work, inspiration, and empowerment of the women scientists.”
PM Modi’s announcement came at the ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) in Bengaluru, where he arrived this morning to greet the scientists behind the Chandrayaan-3 mission.
Furthermore, the point on the Moon where Chandrayaan-2 crashlanded in 2019 has been named ‘Tiranga Point’. “India has decided to also name the point where Chandrayaan-2’s Vikram lander crash-landed. India had decided not to name that point at that time as it did not feel right. But today, when the Chandrayaan-3 mission successfully landed on the Moon, the moment is right to dedicate a name to the point where Chandrayaan-2 left its mark. Since we now have “Har Ghar Tiranga” and the Tiranga is even there on the Moon, it is only apt to name the point ‘Tiranga Point’ – India’s first contact with the surface of the Moon,” the PM said.
PM Modi also announced that August 23, the date of Chandrayaan-3’s landing, will be celebrated as National Space Day. “It will be a day of celebrating science and technology and will inspire generations to come,” Modi said.
