An elated Prime Minister Narendra Modi today described as "historic" India's "spectacular" success in reaching Mars in the maiden attempt, saying the country has dared to reach out into the unknown and achieved the near impossible.
In his speech announcing the success of Mars Orbiter Mission, Modi said, "Today MOM has met Mangal (Mars). Today Mangal has got MOM. The time this mission was short named as MOM, I was sure that MOM won't disappoint us."
As the orbiter was placed in the orbit of the Red Planet, Modi patted the back of Indian Space Research Organisation Chairman K Radhakrishan after watching the critical final moments with space scientists at the command centre of ISRO here.
"India has successfully reached Mars, congratulations to all of you, congratulations to countrymen," said Modi, as India made space history having become the first to succeed in the mission to Mars in the very first shot.
"Our scientists have achieved this in the first attempt. This is first time in the world. History has been created today. We have dared to reach out into the unknown and have achieved near impossible...."
"I congratulate all ISRO scientists as well as all my fellow Indians on this historic occasion," said the Prime Minister.
