NEW DELHI, Aug 15: India will send an Indian man or woman to space on an Indian mission by 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi proclaimed today in his Independence Day address.

"India's tricolour will fly in space," PM Modi said as he announced India's first-ever manned space mission. PM Modi was speaking at the Red Fort in New Delhi, delivering the annual prime minister's Independence Day address.

Readers must note that an Indian has gone to space. Rakesh Sharma, an Indian Air Force pilot, is the only Indian citizen to have been to space.

Sharma, however, flew onboard a Russian spacecraft on a Russian mission. Sharma was awarded the Ashoka Chakra for his achievement.

The Indian Space Research Organisation currently has a probe orbiting Mars. The space agency previously landed a rover on Moon and has plans to launch another mission to the satellite later this year.

The prime minister also spoke about the Indian economy. The countries and world bodies that used to call India's economy fragile and risky are today saying that the momentum f reform is strengthening the counrty's economic fundamentals.

"India was once counted in the Fragile Five, today India is being hailed as a multi-trillion dollar investment destination," PM Modi said.

 
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