Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday praised India’s rapidly growing private space sector while congratulating Hyderabad-based startup Skyroot Aerospace on the successful launch of its orbital rocket. During his remarks ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, the Prime Minister also appeared to take a political swipe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, saying the achievement belonged to a team with an average age of just 28 years, “not some 56-year-old young man.”
The Prime Minister described the mission as a landmark moment for India’s innovation ecosystem and credited the country’s young entrepreneurs for taking India’s space ambitions to a new level. He said the success of the startup reflected the confidence and capability of India’s next generation of scientists and innovators.
“India’s youth have embarked on a new journey into space. I was told that the average age of the entire team working at the ‘Skyroot’ startup is merely 28 years. Young people like these have accomplished this feat. I am not speaking of a 56-year-old youth,” PM Modi said.
Although the Prime Minister did not mention anyone by name, the remark was widely interpreted as an indirect reference to Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi.
Highlighting India’s recent achievements, Modi said the country has made remarkable progress across several sectors, especially in space technology. He noted that India’s growing presence in the global space industry is a result of policy reforms, innovation and the talent of young professionals.
“Just before the monsoon session last year, an Indian citizen reached the International Space Station. And just the other day, a young Indian startup achieved a monumental feat. Few countries in the world have witnessed such private enterprise; India’s youth have embarked on a new journey into space. It is a tremendous success… India’s global profile is gaining universal recognition and acceptance. This is no coincidence; it is a message, a powerful message that the potential and aspirations of our country’s youth are as boundless as space itself,” he said.
The Prime Minister also expressed hope that the Monsoon Session of Parliament would be productive and focused on national development. Comparing Parliament with the rainy season, he said both bring benefits when they function effectively.
“Be it the monsoon or the monsoon session—if both are proactive, they prove to be highly productive. And when both are productive, it leads to the welfare of the nation and the well-being of all living beings. That is why we pray that the monsoon remains both proactive and productive, and that the monsoon session proves productive as well,” Modi said.
Skyroot Aerospace recently created history by successfully launching its Vikram-1 rocket, becoming the first Indian private company to place an orbital-class launch vehicle into orbit. The achievement is being seen as a major boost for India’s private space industry, which has expanded rapidly since the government opened the sector to private participation.
Q1. What did PM Modi say about Skyroot Aerospace?
PM Modi congratulated Skyroot Aerospace for the successful Vikram-1 mission and praised the startup’s young team for achieving a historic milestone in India’s private space sector.
Q2. Why is PM Modi’s ’56-year-old youth’ remark being discussed?
The Prime Minister said Skyroot’s achievement belonged to a team with an average age of 28 years, “not some 56-year-old young man.” The remark is widely seen as an indirect reference to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
Q3. What is Skyroot Aerospace’s Vikram-1 mission?
Vikram-1 is an orbital-class launch vehicle developed by Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace. Its successful mission marks a major milestone for India’s private space industry.
Q4. What did PM Modi say about India’s youth?
He said India’s young innovators are driving the country’s progress in science, technology and space exploration, adding that their aspirations are “as boundless as space itself.”
Q5. What did PM Modi say about the Monsoon Session of Parliament?
The Prime Minister expressed hope that the Monsoon Session would be productive and contribute to national development, comparing it to the benefits of a good monsoon.
Q6. Why is Skyroot’s success important for India?
The mission demonstrates the growing capabilities of India’s private space companies and highlights the success of reforms that opened the space sector to startups.
