Tradition Meets Innovation: PM Modi Highlights Indias Astronomy Legacy At 18th International Olympiad
Welcoming the gathering from across 64 countries, PM Modi said, "It is a joy to connect with more than 300 shining stars from 64 countries. I warmly welcome you."
"The International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics in India (means) tradition meets innovation. Spirituality meets science. Curiosity meets creativity," PM Modi said in a virtual address.
#WATCH | During the 18th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics, PM Modi says, "India is deeply committed to nurturing scientific curiosity and empowering young minds. Over 10 million students are understanding STEM concepts through hands-on experimentation in Atal… pic.twitter.com/UunsEuYiTb — ANI (@ANI) August 12, 2025
Referring to India's rich astronomical heritage, he noted, "For centuries, Indians have been observing the skies and asking big questions. For example, in the fifth century, Aryabhatta invented zero. He was also the first to say that the Earth rotates on its axis. Literally, he started from zero and made history."
Apprising the gathering about India hosting the world's highest astronomical observatories in Ladakh, PM Modi also talked about the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope in Pune, which he said was one of the world's most sensitive radio telescopes that has helped decode the mysteries of pulsars and galaxies.
"Today, we host one of the world's highest astronomical observatories in Ladakh. At 4,500 meters above sea level, it is close enough to shake hands with the stars. Our Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope in Pune is one of the world's most sensitive radio telescopes. It is helping us decode the mysteries of pulsars and galaxies. India proudly contributes to global mega-science projects like the Square Kilometre Array, and LIGO India made history. We were the first to successfully land near the moon's south pole. We have also set our sights on the sun with Aditya-L1 solar observatory," the Prime Minister said.
He also expressed pride over the completion of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's "historic mission" to the International Space Station.
"Last month, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla completed his historic mission to the International Space Station. It was a proud moment for all Indians and an inspiration for young explorers like all of you," PM Modi said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
28 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Bessant warns of higher secondary tariff on India, asks EU to join hands
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday warned that Washington could raise its current 25 per cent secondary tariff on India if American President Donald Trump's meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday fails to make headway on Ukraine. He also asked the European Union to impose a similar secondary levy on India. 'We put a secondary tariff on Indians for buying Russian oil, and I could see -- if things don't go well (in the Trump-Putin meeting) -- then sanctions or secondary tariffs could go up,' Bessent told Bloomberg Television. 'President Trump is meeting with President Putin, and the Europeans are in the wings carping about how he should do it, what he should do. The Europeans need to join us in these sanctions. The Europeans need to be willing to put on these secondary sanctions.' When asked about China being the largest purchaser of Russian crude, Bessent said Trump may tell Putin that 'all options are on the table.' He added: 'Sanctions can go up, they can be loosened, they can have a definitive life, they can go on indefinitely.' In an earlier interview with Fox Business, Bessent described India as 'a bit recalcitrant' in its trade negotiations with the US. The Ministry of External Affairs on August 6 had called the 25 per cent secondary tariff, which raised the total American tariff on Indian goods to 50 per cent, 'unfair, unjustified and unreasonable,' and said it would take all necessary actions to protect its national interests. Speaking at an event in Mumbai on Wednesday, Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran said US tariff-related challenges would likely dissipate within one or two quarters, and urged the private sector to step up as the country addresses longer-term concerns. 'I do believe that the current situation will ease out in a quarter or two. I don't think that from a long-term picture the India impact will be that significant, but in the short run there will be some impact,' Nageswaran was quoted by PTI as saying. With speculation over whether US officials will visit India for trade talks later this month, Nageswaran said the outcome of the Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska is likely to influence developments. The CEA added that the focus on tariff disputes should not overshadow more pressing issues, including the impact of artificial intelligence, dependence on a single country for critical minerals and processing, and the need to strengthen supply chains.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
NDA state chiefs meet in Gaya ahead of PM visit
Gaya: The ruling NDA is making all efforts to make Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Gaya visit on Aug 22 a grand success. In view of this, the state chiefs of all NDA constituents — BJP president Dilip Jaiswal, his JD(U) counterpart Umesh Singh Kushwaha, LJP(Ram Vilas)'s Raju Tiwari, HAM's Anil Kumar and RLM's Madan Chaudhary — met in Gaya on Wednesday. The PM will address a public meeting on the sprawling Magadh University campus, less than 2km to the west of Gautam Buddha's seat of enlightenment. Keeping in mind the security requirements, some trees inside the university campus have either been felled or pruned. At the NDA meeting, the BJP state chief, in particular, referred to the initiative taken by the Union govt at PM Modi's behest to conserve and promote Buddhist heritage sites and develop the religious circuit under the public-private-partnership mode. During his Gaya visit, Prime Minister Modi is likely to announce a religious corridor in Magadh region on the pattern of Kashi Vishvanath and Mahakal temples, besides redevelopment of Gaya international airport, for which Rs 300 crore have been earmarked, according to the ruling NDA. Extension of the runway from the existing 2,200 metres by another 600 metres is pending for long. Once the runway is expanded, wide-body aircraft of international airlines can land and take off from the Gaya airport. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas Prices In Dubai Might Be More Affordable Than You Think Villas In Dubai | Search Ads Get Quote Undo Senior officials of the state govt, including chief secretary Amrit Lal Meena and DGP Vinay Kumar, are also expected to visit Gaya to review the arrangements. According to political observers, the PM's visit is specially significant for HAM leader and Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, as besides Gaya being his home turf, the show will reflect on the party's seat sharing claims. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
BJP to observe Partition Horrors Remembrance Day, Congress to hold march against election malpractice
The city units of ruling BJP and the opposition Congress are all set to take to the streets and hold protest marches on the eve of Independence Day in the city on Thursday with BJP observing a Partition Horrors Remembrance Day while Congress will hold a candle march to protest against election malpractices. The city BJP under the leadership of senior lawyer and BJP Rajya Sabha MP Ujjwal Nikam to observe August 14 as the Vibhajan Vibhishika Divas, Partition Horrors Remembrance Day, as a fitting tribute to all those who lost their lives due to the partition of the nation and were displaced from their roots on August 14, 1947. In 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had declared August 14 to be observed every year as Vibhajan Vibhishika Divas, Partition Horrors Remembrance Day to commemorate the sacrifice on August 14 during partition. He had stated that the declaration of such a day would remind present and future generations of Indians of the pain and suffering faced by the people during the partition. 'The city BJP will take out a rally of Vibhajan Vibhishika Divas at 5.30 pm on Thursday which will start at Swatantryaveer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar memorial at Sarasbaug and end at Abhinav College chowk,' said city BJP chief Dheeraj Ghate. On the other hand, the city Congress is going to hold a candle march at 7 pm from Gopalkrishna Gokhale statue at Good Luck chowk to the main gate of Fergusson College gate. 'Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has exposed the wrongdoing in electoral rolls. The BJP has grabbed power through wrong means by putting pressure on Election Commission of India and doing irregularities in electoral rolls. We are holding a candle march to condemn the BJP misusing power to retain its rule through improper means,' said city Congress chief Arvind Shinde. Incidentally, the state Congress had conducted a two day workshop for its newly appointed office bearers on August 11 and 12 in the city.
