PM Modi at Make-In-India event
At Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Make-In-India" event, the success of Mangalyaan, or Mars mission, was held up as an example of the country's potential.
"Nobody can question the talent of our people, especially after yesterday's Mars mission. The parts of the Mangalyaan were made in small factories in India. it proves there is no dearth of talent," PM Modi said, a day after he witnessed Mangalyaan successfully enter the orbit of Mars.
Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani had earlier said Mangalyaan had shown what India can achieve. "India's Mars mission cost less than Rs 7 per km, which is less than the cost of travel by an auto in major Indian cities," he said.
On Wednesday, PM Modi had also marveled that the mission cost less than a Hollywood movie.
ICICI bank chief Chanda Kocchar also referenced Mangalyaan. "Today, with a lot of pride we can all stand here and claim that it is India's indigenous technology on Mars. This was achieved in just $74 million," she said.
Mangalyaan is the cheapest inter-planetary mission ever. At Rs. 450 crore, it costs just about Rs. 4 per person in India.