Chandrayaan-3: Unveiling the ‘New India’ Through Lunar Exploration, Say Sarabhai Family

New Delhi, August 23, 2023: Renowned environmentalist Kartikeya Sarabhai, the son of India’s space program pioneer Vikram Sarabhai, lauded the Chandrayaan-3 project as a testament to the “new India,” emphasizing that every citizen takes pride in this monumental endeavor. In a tribute to Vikram Sarabhai, the visionary founder of India’s space program, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has aptly named Chandrayaan-3’s lander ‘Vikram.’

Scheduled for a momentous lunar landing, the lander ‘Vikram’ and the accompanying rover ‘Pragyan’ are poised to touch down on the moon’s surface, marking a historic feat for India as the fourth nation to do so and the first to explore the uncharted south pole of the moon.

Kartikeya Sarabhai conveyed his excitement, stating, “No one was able to reach the southern side of the moon… It is a very proud feeling for us because the lander has been named after Vikram Sarabhai. But, this pride is for all of us, not just the immediate family. It represents new India.”

Elaborating on the project’s significance, he highlighted that it encapsulates the collaboration of experts from across the nation, symbolizing unity and progress. Kartikeya Sarabhai emphasized that his father believed in learning from diverse sources rather than imitating others, underlining Vikram Sarabhai’s holistic approach to innovation.

While acknowledging the challenges faced during Chandrayaan-2, Kartikeya Sarabhai noted its contribution to Chandrayaan-3’s success, stating, “We were heartbroken when the Chandrayaan 2 lander could not make it… Chandrayaan 2 is helping Chandrayaan 3 in finding the right location to land.”

Vikram Sarabhai’s daughter and activist, Mallika Sarabhai, praised the mission’s broader significance, viewing it as a leap forward for humanity. “It is not about India alone. It is about the human spirit… to bring justice, to bring happiness and dignity,” she stated, echoing her father’s dedication to science and art as catalysts for global betterment.