Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday hailed the successful launch of the country’s first private orbital rocket, Vikram-1, saying it demonstrated the country’s quest for self-reliance.

Speaking to Skyroot Aerospace CEO Pawan Kumar Chandana and co-founder Naga Bharath Daka over phone, the Prime Minister congratulated them and their company on the successful achievement on Saturday.
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Both the senior officials were present at ISRO’s Mission Control Center (MCC) during the launch.
Prime Minister Modi conveyed his “greatest regards” to them and said that today’s “Ajman Mission” (arrival) should go ahead, as he wished.
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He said the mission “proves that we can be Atmanirbhar”, even as he informed Chandana that the missile is entirely designed and manufactured in India.
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Referring to Prime Minister Modi’s postcard bearing ‘Vande Mataram’, the slogan carried by the launch vehicle to a 450 km low Earth orbit, Chandana said, “Your card has reached orbit successfully. Vande Mataram is in orbit.”

