जागतिक आरोग्य संघटनेचे, जागतिक पारंपरिक औषधी केंद्र स्थापन करण्याच्या करारावर आयुष मंत्रालयाने स्वाक्षरी केल्याचे पंतप्रधानांनी केले स्वागत

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently stressed unlocking India's potential in the space sector. The pertinent need to actively invest in cutting-edge space technology and its optimal utilisation to pass on the benefits of the space programmes to transform the lives of the economically weaker and the average citizens of India are realised under PM Modi’s leadership. Given the ever-changing global geopolitical dynamics, he foresees the utility of India’s leadership in the space sector from both economic and strategic perspectives.

To facilitate India in nurturing a competitive space market, the PM Modi-led government announced various policy reforms to provide a level playing field and favourable regulatory environment to the private space players. The government allowed private players to manufacture and launch space vehicles along with government support.

To promote and supervise the non-governmental entities in India’s space sector, the government established the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) as an autonomous agency under the DOS. Further, new governance styles unique to PM Modi allowed for easier approvals, alignment of stakeholders within shorter timelines and greater comfort due to the presence of private industry veterans in the government.

This facilitation set the strong foundation for these private players to become significant actors in the space sector and encourage them to “think big” and capitalise on global opportunities. Due to the encouragement given for end-to-end space activities, a private launchpad and a mission control centre got established in the Department of Space (DOS) campus. The facility has been designed and operated by an Indian space-tech start-up named Agnikul at the Satish Dhawan Space Center (SDSC) in Sriharikota. Till February 2023, around 135 applications have been received by IN-SPACe in the space sector from non-government entities. Nearly 111 space startups got registered, bringing in new innovations and technologies.

The success of India’s space programs has catapulted it in the “elite global group of six countries”, breaking into the bulwark of space programs held by a handful of countries around the globe. November 18th, 2022, is now marked as a historic day in the space history of India, when the nation’s first privately developed rocket Vikram-S was launched from SDSC. Vikram-S is a suborbital launch vehicle of the M/s Skyroot Aerospace Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad. Officially, the launch was termed as Mission Prarambh, which was authorised by the IN-SPACe.

The Indian space market has experienced exponential growth in the past few years. 353 foreign satellites have been launched in the last eight years under the PM Modi government, and this has been a major foreign exchange earner for India. Investors have been pouring millions of USDs into Indian space startups, as they see value in the less-costlier launches of satellites to space. Interestingly, along with being acclaimed for our UPIs, and DPIs, our nation has also been the most cost-efficient ecosystem in the space sector globally.

Improved GPS, direct-to-home (DTH) broadcasts, satellite communications, better weather forecasting, prompt disaster management and holistic urban planning, etc., are the other differentiators that have added more value to the lives of Indian citizens. The increased presence of private players in synergy with the government’s vision has also made the space industry more democratic and inclusive.

The reforms brought in by the PM Modi-led government give life to the dreams of the thousands of space enthusiasts nationwide, who see space as the builder of future civilisations. The push for encouraging private entrepreneurship in the space sector has rapidly advanced India’s journey of becoming a significant player in the international space technology market.

With the encouragement of young, intelligent brains to become active participants in the vibrant space sector of India, the visionary leadership of PM Modi is paving the way in making the space sector; a leading contributor to India’s economic growth story. This will facilitate a significant increase in India’s share in the global space market in the near future. At the current pace, the target of achieving 10% of the global market share of the space sector by 2030 for India looks attainable.