AMN /
President Pranab Mukherjee today conferred the Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2014 on Indian Space Research Organization, ISRO at a function at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The prize was received by ISRO Chairman A S Kiran Kumar. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Mukherjee said, Science and Technology is a key driver for shaping the destiny of nations and people across the globe.
He said, ISRO is one such Indian organization, which has nurtured, developed and demonstrated world class capabilities.The President said from launching a small sounding rockets from Thumba for atmospheric studies, ISRO is today one of the 6 largest space agencies of the world.
Mr Mukherjee said, the Organisation has built an indigenous Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) which is one of the most sought after launch vehicles in its class across the world. He said, it has achieved 29 successful flights of the PSLV launching not only Indian satellites but also 45 satellites of 19 other countries.
Scripting space history, India successfully placed the Mars Orbiter around Mars last year. He said, it is the only country in the world to achieve this feat in its first attempt and the fourth space agency in the world to reach Mars.
Mr Mukherjee also complimented ISRO for designing people centric space programmes to support various national priorities like food and water security, sustainable environmental practices, conservation of resources and livelihood support.
Vice President M Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Justice of India H L Dattu, senior BJP leader L K Advani and Culture Minister Dr Mahesh Sharma were also present at the function.