India's Chandrayaan-3 mission, led by the Indian Space
Research Organisation (ISRO), reached a significant milestone with the
successful landing of its lunar module. Prime Minister Narendra Modi,
addressing scientists at the ISRO Command Centre on August 28, 2023, unveiled
the decision to christen the landing site as "Shiv Shakti Point."
Naming and Approval
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) formally endorsed
the name 'Shiva Shakti' for this historic lunar location on March 19, 2024. Derived
from Indian mythology, the name symbolizes the intricate duality of nature,
representing the complementary forces of masculinity and femininity.
Cultural Significance
The choice of 'Shiva Shakti' as the name for the lunar site
reflects India's rich cultural heritage and its integration with scientific
pursuits. It highlights the nation's commitment to honoring its traditions
while advancing in the field of space exploration.
National
Space Day
Prime
Minister Modi's announcement also included the designation of August 23 as
"National Space Day" in India. This date commemorates the anniversary
of Vikram Lander's gentle touchdown on the lunar surface, reaffirming India's
dedication to space exploration.
Meaning and Togetherness"m and Unity
Prime Minister Modi stressed the importance of 'Shiv Shakti Point,' saying it stands for unity and strength. The name reflects our shared goals, bringing together people from all over India in the quest for scientific progress, from the Himalayas to Kanyakumari.
Reaction and Controversy
The choice to name the lunar location after Hindu gods caused differing opinions. While some political parties opposed it, claiming religious favoritism, ISRO chairman S. Somanath downplayed the debate, stressing the government's right to name lunar landmarks.
Conclusion
The christening of 'Shiv Shakti Point' signifies a pivotal
moment in India's space exploration narrative. It underscores the nation's
commitment to blending its cultural legacy with scientific progress and
celebrates its achievements in the realm of space exploration. As India
continues to chart new frontiers in space, 'Shiv Shakti Point' stands as a
testament to its rich cultural heritage and its aspirations for the future.
Opposition Criticizes 'Shiv Shakti' Lunar Naming as
Hindu-Muslim Issue
A heated exchange of words unfolded between the Bharatiya
Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress on Saturday following Prime Minister Modi's
decision to name the landing site of Chandrayaan 3 on the moon as 'Shiv Shakti
Point'. The move sparked controversy, with the Congress criticizing the naming
as inappropriate.
Congress Criticism
Senior Congress leader Rashid Alvi expressed his disapproval,
deeming the name 'Shiv Shakti Point' ridiculous and asserting that PM Modi
lacked the authority to name a point on the moon. Alvi argued that while
India's lunar achievements were commendable, the nation did not own the moon or
any of its features. He highlighted the previous designation of 'Jawahar
Point', where Chandrayaan 1 crash-landed in 2008, as a historical reference.
BJP Response
In response, BJP's national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla
accused the Congress of displaying an 'anti-Hindu' stance. Poonawalla
criticized the Congress for questioning the naming decision, pointing out that
the names 'Shiv Shakti Point' and 'Tiranga Point' held significance for the
country. He argued that the Congress's criticism contradicted its claims of
upholding Hindu values, citing examples of alleged anti-Hindu sentiments within
the party's ranks.
Political Polarization
The exchange underscored the deep-rooted political
polarization between the BJP and the Congress. Poonawalla accused the Congress
of adhering to a 'family-first' principle, focusing solely on praising the
Gandhi family and Jawaharlal Nehru. He speculated that if the United
Progressive Alliance (UPA) were in power, they might not have pursued lunar
missions like Chandrayaan 2 and 3, or if they did, they might have named them
differently, possibly after members of the Nehru-Gandhi family.
Conclusion
The verbal clash over the naming of the lunar site reflects
the broader ideological divide between the BJP and the Congress. While the BJP
defends the decision as a patriotic gesture, the Congress sees it as
politicization. The dispute highlights the intersection of politics,
nationalism, and symbolism in the context of India's space exploration
endeavors.
Frequently
Asked Questions about Lunar Missions:
Q: What
is Jawahar Point on the Moon?
A:
Jawahar Point, also known as Jawahar Sthal, marks the location near the
Shackleton Crater where the Moon Impact Probe (MIP) of Chandrayaan-1 made a
hard landing on the lunar surface on November 14, 2008.
Q: Where
is Tiranga Point located on the Moon?
A: Tiranga
Point is situated near the lunar south pole, chosen as the landing site for
Chandrayaan-2's lander Vikram, which unfortunately crashed during its descent.
This site was officially named on August 26, 2023, at the ISTRAC headquarters
in Bengaluru. Its coordinates are approximately 70.8810°S latitude and
22.7840°E longitude, lying between the Manzinus C and Simpelius N craters.
Q: What is the launcher used for Chandrayaan missions?
A: The
launcher selected for Chandrayaan-3 is LVM3 M4, tasked with placing the
integrated module into an Elliptic Parking Orbit (EPO) approximately 170 x
36,500 km in size. Chandrayaan-3 aims to demonstrate a safe and soft landing on
the lunar surface.
Q: What is the name of the lunar rover in Chandrayaan
missions?
A:
The lunar rover accompanying Chandrayaan-2 was named Pragyan, which translates
to 'wisdom' in Sanskrit. Pragyan was a 6-wheeled robotic vehicle designed to
explore the lunar surface and conduct various scientific experiments as part of
India's lunar exploration mission.
