- Friday, April 19, 2024
By: Shubham Ghosh
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi on Monday (11) launched the Indian Space Association (ISpA) via video-conferencing and also spoke to representatives of the space industry on the occasion.
He said the ISpA will be a single-window and independent agency on matters related to space technology.
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The prime minister laid out in his speech what he called the “four pillars” of space technology: freedom for innovation in the private sector, a government which plays the role of enabler and not handler, preparing youngsters for the future and treating the space sector as a resource for the common man’s progress.
Speaking at the launch of Indian Space Association. https://t.co/PWnwsL54Z8
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 11, 2021
“This the time for exponential, and not linear innovation. This is possible only when the government plays the role of an enabler, and not the handler. Today, the government is sharing its expertise, and providing launch pads for the private sector. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is being opened for the private sector,” he said.
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Indian prime minister Narendra Modi interacts with the representatives of space industry during the launch of Indian Space Association (ISpA), via video conferencing, in New Delhi on Monday, October 11, 2021. (ANI Photo)The ISpA is the industry association of space and satellite companies and aims to be the collective voice of the country’s space industry. It will engage with all stakeholders in the Indian space domain, including the government and its agencies.
Modi also said how the space sector used to be synonymous with the ruling dispensation but it was his government which changed the mindset.
“We introduced innovation to this field. We also gave the mantra of cooperation between between the Centre and start-ups,” he said.
He also said that the launch of ISpA took place on the International Day for the Girl Child. He recalled the celebrations of India’s women scientists involved in the Mars mission and said he was hopeful that reforms in the space sector would encourage more women participation.
Modi also conveyed the message that his government has been the most decisive one in the history of India.
“The major reforms that are happening in India today regarding Space Sector and Space Tech are a link to this. I once again congratulate all of you for the formation of the Indian Space Association – ISP, convey my best wishes,” he said.
The ISpA is represented by leading homegrown and global corporations with advanced capacities in space and satellite technologies. The association’s founding members include Larson & Toubro, Nelco (Tata Group), OneWeb, Bharti Airtel, Mapmyindia, Walchandnagar Industries and Ananth Technology Limited. Among other core members are Godrej, Hughes India, BEL, Azista-BST Aerospace Private Limited, Centum Electronics and Maxar India.
