The Union cabinet on Tuesday announced August 23 as ‘National Space Day’, marking the successful landing of Chandrayaan 3 on the moon’s south pole.

“The Cabinet lauds the historic success of ISRO scientists who worked for the Chandrayaan-3 mission. It is a symbol of our strength on global stage. It (Cabinet) also welcomes the move to celebrate August 23 as ‘National Science Day”, Union minister Anurag Thakur said at the briefing held after the Cabinet meet.

During his visit to the ISRO command centre in Bengaluru on August 26, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had made the announcement.

“In today’s era, the country which paces ahead in the field of science and technology will be charting history…To encourage our younger generation to get involved in the field of science and technology and space, we have decided that August 23, the day when our Chandrayaan-3 lander touched the moon, will be celebrated as National Space Day,” the prime minister had said.