On 27th March, Wednesday, Modi informed the country of a nation-wide public address scheduled at 11.45 am via a tweet.
The entire country waited with bated breath and numerous assumptions. Twitter saw hundreds of citizens expecting a potentially massive economic change (demonetization, after all, was announced in a very similar manner), news about India’s ties with Pakistan and several other theories.
Finally, at 12.30 Modi started his address with an announcement that comes as a matter of “great pride for each and every Indian” – India has shot down a live satellite in the Low Earth Orbit with an anti-satellite (ASAT) mission called “Mission Shakti”, making India the fourth country in the Space Power super league – after the U.S, China and Russia. This tough operation was completed successfully in three minutes, achieving every objective that was laid down for the mission; The assurance of safety of the 130 crore citizens of India, A feat in the technological and scientific advancements of the country, and a major step in the direction of India’s development.
“India has always been against violence and weaponry in space, and the success of this mission is to further the country’s message of peace and safety,”, Modi mentioned. This mission only adds to India’s existing achievements in the fields of agriculture, space, defence, communication, and weather. The ASAT will be used only for defence purposes, added Modi.
At the end of his address, Modi thanked and congratulated all the scientists of the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) that contributed to this mission. Following his address, Modi took to twitter to announce that Mission Shakti will make India “Stronger, even more secure and will further peace and harmony.”
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