India is celebrating a historic achievement today with the successful landing of Chandrayaan III on the lunar surface. This momentous event not only marks India's prowess in space exploration but also places it as the fourth nation globally to accomplish this feat, following in the footsteps of the United States, Russia, and China. What sets this achievement apart is that it entails landing on the challenging lunar south pole, a frontier yet unexplored by any other nation.

This journey to the moon and beyond is a testament to India's pride, resilience, determination, and foresight. It's a tribute to the visionary leadership of India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, who laid the foundation for Indian space research.

The story of India's space journey began in 1962 with the establishment of INCOSPAR, which later became ISRO. Over the years, ISRO has achieved numerous milestones, including the launch of its first satellite, Aryabhata, in 1975, and the successful placement of the satellite Rohini into orbit in 1980.

In 1984, Indian Air Force pilot Rakesh Sharma made history by becoming the first Indian to travel to space as part of a joint mission with the Soviet Union.

The lunar exploration started with Chandrayaan-1 in 2008, which confirmed the presence of water molecules on the Moon. This was followed by the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) in 2013, making India the first Asian country to reach Mars.

India's space achievements also include launching satellites for communication, broadcasting, weather forecasting (like the INSAT series), and Earth observation (like the Cartosat series). This success story reflects India's growing influence in space exploration and its commitment to scientific progress.