PM Modi Takes Indirect Swipe at Rahul Gandhi While Applauding India’s Young Space Innovators
New Delhi, July 20: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday praised the achievements of India’s young scientists and engineers while taking an indirect political swipe at Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi ahead of the start of the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
Addressing the media before the session began, the Prime Minister congratulated the team behind Skyroot Aerospace’s Vikram-1 mission, which recently scripted history by successfully launching India’s first privately developed rocket into orbit under Mission Aagaman.
Highlighting the role of young innovators in the country’s growing space ambitions, PM Modi pointed out that the average age of the professionals working on the historic mission was just 28 years.
“India’s youth have taken a new flight into space. It is a tremendous success. The average age of the entire team working at Skyroot Aerospace is 28 years,” the Prime Minister said.
In a remark widely seen as aimed at Rahul Gandhi, who turned 56 in June, PM Modi added with a smile, “I am not talking about a 56-year-old youngster.” The comment was interpreted as an indirect jibe at the Congress leader, who is often described as a youth leader by his party.
The exchange also revives a long-running political rivalry between the BJP and the Congress over the symbolic “56” reference. During the 2014 Lok Sabha election campaign, Narendra Modi famously spoke about having a “56-inch chest”, using the phrase to project strength and decisive leadership. Over the years, the Congress has repeatedly used the same expression to criticise the Prime Minister.
Earlier this year, Rahul Gandhi had also referred to the phrase while attacking the government over its handling of border issues with China. During a parliamentary discussion, he questioned, “What happened to the 56-inch chest when China was standing against us?”
Without elaborating further on his remark about the “56-year-old youngster,” PM Modi returned his focus to India’s achievements in science and technology.
He congratulated the young engineers and scientists at Skyroot Aerospace, saying their success had boosted the country’s confidence and demonstrated the capabilities of India’s new generation.
“These young professionals have planted India’s flag in space. Their achievement fills the nation with self-confidence and shows what our youth are capable of accomplishing,” he said.
The Prime Minister also noted that India’s space sector has witnessed remarkable progress over the past year. He recalled that before last year’s Monsoon Session, an Indian astronaut had reached the International Space Station (ISS), while this year the country celebrated another milestone with Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace’s successful Vikram-1 launch, marking India’s entry into the era of privately developed orbital rockets.
PM Modi’s comments came as Parliament prepared for what is expected to be a politically charged Monsoon Session, with the government and Opposition likely to clash over several key national issues alongside discussions on India’s recent achievements in science, technology and economic development.
News source: Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
