New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said India is witnessing comprehensive reforms with the vision of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'. "With the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' vision, our country is witnessing comprehensive reforms. It's not just vision, but a well thought and integrated economic strategy that is facilitating global development," Modi said at the launch of Indian Space Association (ISpA), an industry body aspiring to be the voice of the Indian space sector.
The PM said the government has succeeded in bringing in innovation in the space sector by sharing its expertise and providing launch pads for the private sector. "This is the time of exponential innovation, which can only be achieved when Government doesn't play the role of handler but enabler. Today, the Government is sharing its expertise and providing launch pads for the private sector. Today, the facility of ISRO is being opened for the private sector, " Modi said.
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"Earlier, the space sector was synonymous with Government. We changed this mindset, brought in innovation in the space sector and gave the mantra of cooperation between government and startups. This new mantra is necessary because this is not the time of linear innovation for India," he further said.
"Our approach to space reforms is based on four pillars -- freedom to private sector in innovation, role of Govt as an enabler, to make youth future-ready and to see the space sector as a resource for the progress of common man," he added.
The Prime Minister said the government is moving ahead with a clear policy regarding public sector enterprises and is opening most of these sectors to private enterprises where the government is not required. The decision regarding Air India shows our commitment and seriousness, he said.
The Prime Minister said that space technology has been converted into a tool of last-mile delivery and leakage-free, transparent governance during the last 7 years. He gave examples of the use of geotagging in housing units for the poor, roads and infrastructure projects. "Development projects are being monitored by satellite imaging. The space technology is being used in settlement of Fasal Bima Yojna claims, NAVIC system is helping fishermen, disaster management planning is also being carried out through this technology," he said.
Modi emphasized the importance of making technology accessible to everyone. Giving an example of digital technology, he said that India is among the top digital economies today because we could make the power of data accessible to the poorest of the poor.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's office, ISpA will undertake policy advocacy and engage with all stakeholders in the Indian Space domain, including the Government and its agencies. Echoing the Prime Minister’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, ISpA will help in making India self-reliant, technologically advanced and a leading player in the space arena.
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