The space sector was a major medium for the progress of 130 crore Indians, PM Modi said

Space technology has been converted into a tool of last-mile delivery and leakage-free, transparent governance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said.

He was speaking at the launch of the Indian Space Agency (ISpA), the premier industry association of Space and Satellite companies, on Monday.

He gave examples of the use of geotagging in housing units for the poor, roads and infrastructure projects. Development projects were being monitored by satellite imaging, he added.

According to PM Modi, the space sector means better mapping, imaging and connectivity facilities for the common people.

It also means better speed from shipment to delivery for entrepreneurs, better security and income for fishermen and better forecast of the natural calamity, he said.

Pointing out that the space sector was a major medium for the progress of 130 crore Indians, the Prime Minister remarked that the government's approach to space reforms was based on 4 pillars:

1. The freedom of innovation to the private sector

2. The role of the government as an enabler

3. Preparing youth for the future

4. To see the space sector as a resource for the progress of the common man

The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of making technology accessible to everyone.

Giving an example of digital technology, he said that India was among the top digital economies today because it could make the power of data accessible to the poorest of the poor.

Talking about the young entrepreneurs and startups, the Prime Minister said that the government encourages industry, young innovators and startups at every level. He elaborated that to develop a strong startup ecosystem, a platform approach was very important.

He defined the platform system as “an approach where the government creates open-access public controlled platforms and makes that available to the industry and enterprises. Entrepreneurs prepare new solutions on this basic platform”.

The Prime Minister illustrated this with the example of the platform of UPI which became the basis of a strong fintech network.

Similar platforms were being encouraged in space, geospatial fields and for use of drones in various areas, PM Modi said.

ISpA is the Premier Industry Association of Space and Satellite companies, which aspires to be the collective voice of the Indian space industry.

It will undertake policy advocacy and engage with all stakeholders in the Indian Space domain, including the Government and its agencies.

ISpA is represented by leading home grown and global corporations with advanced capabilities in space and satellite technologies.

Its founding members include Larson & Toubro, Nelco (Tata Group), OneWeb, Bharti Airtel, Mapmyindia, Walchandnagar Industries and Ananth Technology Limited. Other core members include Godrej, Hughes India, Azista-BST Aerospace Private Limited, BEL, Centum Electronics, Maxar India.