Mann Ki Baat: India will launch a priceless gift on May 5

New Delhi: With the idea of ‘sabka sath and sabka vikas‘ India will launch a South Asia satellite on May 5, PM Modi announced on Sunday in Mann Ki Baat. The satellite is a joint project of seven countries of SAARC, except for Pakistan.

“We have always attempted to move ahead with the concept of ‘sabka sath, sabka vikas‘ (cooperation of all, development for all),” PM Modi said in his on AIR programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’, reported DC.

He also said that the concept of ‘sabka sath and sabka vikas ‘ is not only meant for India but also for our neighbouring countries. “There should be a cooperation of our neighbours and there should be a development of our neighbours too,” he said.

“On May 5, India will launch the South Asia Satellite. The benefits of this satellite will go a long way in meeting the developmental needs of the countries participating in this project,” the Prime Minister said. He termed the new project as a ‘priceless gift’ from India which will help the south Asia region.

“This is an appropriate example of our commitment towards South Asia…The satellite of South Asia will help in the overall development of the entire region,” he stated.

He thanked the countries involved in the project. These countries include India, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The satellite was supposed to be named as ‘SAARC satellite’ but when Pakistan refused to be a part of the project, it was named as South Asia Satellite.

The satellite will focus on mapping of natural resources, telemedicine, education, IT connectivity and people-to-people links, he said. The satellite will also provide communication and disaster support, connectivity among the countries of South Asia region. It will also provide significant capability in terms of DTH, certain VSAT capacity plus linking among the states for disaster information.

The satellite was supposed to be launched in December last year, but it got delayed.