10 Satellites Working Round-the-Clock for National Security, Says Dr V Narayanan in Imphal
Imphal, May 12 — Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman Dr V Narayanan on Sunday said that ten satellites are operating 24/7 to safeguard the nation, underscoring India's increasing stature as a space power. Speaking at the Central Agricultural University convocation ceremony in Imphal, Manipur, Narayanan emphasized the critical role of space technology in ensuring national security.
“Today, 10 satellites are continuously working 24/7 for a strategic purpose to ensure the safety and security of the country's citizens,” he announced. These remarks come amid the backdrop of heightened military tensions between India and Pakistan and the launch of Operation Sindoor on May 7, aimed at eliminating terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir.
India Poised to Host Its First Space Station by 2040
Reiterating India's ambition in space exploration, Dr Narayanan confirmed that the country will have its first space station operational by 2040. “India is becoming a vibrant space power,” he stated, adding that satellite and drone technology is imperative for monitoring India’s vast 7,000-km-long coastline and its northern frontiers.Milestones in Satellite Launches and Global Collaborations
Narayanan highlighted India's growing role in global space launches, stating, “433 satellites of 34 countries have been launched from India and placed into orbit.” He also revealed that India and the United States will jointly develop an advanced and costly earth-imaging satellite to be launched from Indian soil.In another major initiative, ISRO is developing a satellite for G20 countries to monitor climate change, air pollution, and weather systems.
From 1975 to Now: India’s Remarkable Space Journey
Reflecting on ISRO’s journey, Narayanan said that India launched its first satellite in 1975 and has since developed and deployed 131 satellites with various functions and capabilities. “We were 70 years behind advanced countries when we started our space programme in 1962,” he said, recalling the formation of ISRO in 1969 as a historic milestone.Progress Since Independence: Education, Health, and Technology
Narayanan also spoke of the nation’s broader development since independence. “In 1947, 97.5 per cent of the population was below the poverty line, and the average life expectancy was 32 years. Today, it has risen to 72 years,” he noted. He added that the literacy rate was just 12 per cent at independence and has grown alongside establishing over 8.4 lakh primary schools.Call to Action for Agricultural Graduates
Emphasizing agriculture’s role in national development, Narayanan told the graduating students, “The degrees you received today are of immense national importance. You will play a pivotal role in realising the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.”The ISRO chief's address vividly illustrated India’s strategic and developmental strides, which were driven by scientific innovation and technological self-reliance.