Modi pitches for Saarc satellite

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday asked the country's space scientists to develop a South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) satellite to benefit the neighbouring countries.
"We have done a lot (in space science) but the heart wants more. I have proposed to our scientists that they develop a Saarc satellite. This will help all our neighbours," Modi said while congratulating the scientists of Indian Space Research Organisation on the launch of a rocket carrying five satellites at Sriharikota launch centre in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.
 India's space programme is driven by a vision of service to humanity, not a desire for power, Modi said, adding that India must share the fruits of its advancement in space technology with the developing world and neighbours in particular.                   
He called upon the scientists to take up the challenge of developing a satellite “that can be dedicated to our neighbourhood as a gift from India”.
Saarc comprises Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan, Maldives, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and India.
The Indian polar satellite vehicle launched yesterday is carrying five satellites from France, Singapore, Germany and Canada.
 "Today's satellites are from developed nations. This is a global endorsement of our space programme," Modi said, as the launch of the rocket bolsters India's goal of capturing more of the $304 billion annual global space market.
"This fills every Indian's heart with pride and I can see it reflected in the joy and satisfaction on your faces," he said, adding that India's current Mars mission cost less than the budget of the Hollywood science fiction film "Gravity".  
He was following the progress of the Mars mission keenly.  India's Mars rocket or Mangalyaan is expected to reach the red planet on September 24.
Earlier, India used to buy satellite images from countries like the US and France. The rocket launch reinforces India's success in launching satellites for the West that is also buying remote sensing images from India.  
Modi said India can be proud of its space programme which is fully indigenous and has been developed in the face of international pressure and hurdles.