Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday took an indirect swipe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi while highlighting the success of Skyroot Aerospace’s Vikram-1 mission, saying the average age of the private space company’s team is 28 years and adding that he was “not talking about a 56-year-old youngster”. His remarks came at a time when thousands of protesters have been marching towards Parliament under the CJP’s Sansad Chalo march. However, the police have lathicharged and use tear gas at the protesters.
Speaking ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Modi praised the young team behind India’s first privately developed orbital rocket, saying their achievement reflected the country’s growing scientific capabilities and the limitless potential of its youth. “The average age of the entire team of young people working at Skyroot is 28 years. I am not talking about a 56-year-old ‘youngster’,” the Prime Minister said.
The remarks came days after Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace successfully launched Vikram-1 under Mission Aagaman, making India the third country in the world to achieve private orbital launch capability.
The rocket completed its final burn and successfully placed its payloads into a nearly 450-kilometre orbit.
Congratulating the team, Modi said the accomplishment had filled the country with confidence. Congratulations are certainly due to these young people, with an average age of 28, who have planted India’s flag in space. These are the kinds of achievements that fill India with self-confidence,” he said.
The Prime Minister also recalled that before last year’s Monsoon Session, an Indian astronaut had travelled to the International Space Station (ISS), saying the latest achievement further strengthened India’s position in the global space sector.
Modi’s remark appeared to target Rahul Gandhi, who turned 56 in June and is frequently projected by the Congress as a youth leader. The comment also echoed the long-running political exchange over the phrase “56-inch chest”, which Modi popularised during the 2014 Lok Sabha election campaign to symbolise strength and decisive leadership.
In recent years, the Congress has repeatedly used the phrase to criticise the Prime Minister. Earlier this year, Rahul Gandhi invoked it while questioning the government’s handling of issues related to China.
The Prime Minister said India’s growing global recognition was driven by the aspirations and capabilities of its younger generation. “This is not a coincidence; it is a message, and a very powerful one, that the potential and aspirations of our country’s youth are as boundless as space itself. There cannot be a more inspiring message for the country than this,” he said.
Modi also expressed hope that both the ongoing monsoon season and the Monsoon Session would prove productive for the country. He urged lawmakers to engage in constructive and fact-based discussions, saying Parliament should provide every member an opportunity to be heard.
“I believe that where there are facts, there is no need for chaos. If your logic and facts are strong, there is no need to raise your voice. I hope the discussions in Parliament are conducted with logic and facts,” he said.