NEW YORK: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today gave a large gathering of Indians at New York’s Madison Square Garden a statistic to be proud of: “A one-km autorickshaw ride in Ahmedabad takes Rs. 10 and India reached Mars at Rs. 7 a km.”
Days after he watched the Mangalyaan enter the planet’s orbit, PM Modi held it up as a shining example of India’s talent.
“At 65 crore rupees, we went to Mars. Everything about Mangalyaan is indigenous…made in small factories. We reached Mars at a smaller budget than a Hollywood movie,” he said, turning to what has become his favourite anecdote.
“India is the only country to reach Mars on its first attempt. If this is not talent, then what is?” he questioned.
He also spoke about the quirky communication between NASA’s Maven and the Mangalyaan after its successful Mars entry. (Also Read: PM Modi’s Dream: A House for Every Indian by 2022)
“America and India are not talking just on earth, but even at Mars,” he quipped, adding, “The US reached on the 22nd (September) and India reached on the 24th.”
