Celebrations erupted at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre moments after Skyroot Aerospace successfully launched its Vikram-1 rocket, with applause, cheers and congratulatory messages filling the control room.
The celebrations were soon interrupted by a phone call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who joined the Skyroot team to congratulate them on the historic achievement.
Speaking to Skyroot CEO and Co-founder Pawan Kumar Chandana and the young team gathered around the speakerphone, the Prime Minister hailed the milestone and said, "you have made India proud."
"You have planted India's aspirations in space and have also given roots to the dreams of the youth," PM Modi told Chandana.
Praising the team's accomplishment, the Prime Minister said the launch demonstrated the immense potential of India's young talent. Chandana responded by noting that the average age of the Skyroot team is just 28.
"Your team has proved my faith in the youth of India right. Many doubted our space dreams, but this team has shown that if trusted, Indian youth can do wonders," the PM told the beaming team.
As Chandana thanked the Prime Minister for personally calling to congratulate the team, Modi replied that he "had to be part of this historic moment".
Referring to the mission's name, Aagaman, the Prime Minister said he believed it marked only the beginning of Skyroot's journey and expressed confidence that many more milestones lay ahead.
During the nine-minute conversation, Modi commended the team's efforts and said they had taken India's space programme to new heights.
Chandana also informed the Prime Minister that the handwritten "Vande Mataram" note he had sent ahead of the launch had travelled into space aboard Vikram-1.
"Vande Mataram is now in space," Chandana said to the Prime Minister, visibly overcome with emotion.
Explaining why he chose to send the handwritten message, Modi said he had written "only Vande Mataram" for two reasons.
He said the first was to mark the 150th anniversary of the national song and make the occasion even more special.
The second, he added, was because Vande Mataram has always served as an inspiration for India's youth.
"You have lived the spirit of Vande Mataram," the PM told the team.
Bringing the call to a close, the Prime Minister encouraged the Skyroot team, saying, "Aap aage badhiye, soar high. I am with you,"
Later, Modi described the successful Vikram-1 mission as a "defining moment" in India's space journey in a post on X.
"The growing participation of our private sector is opening new frontiers and accelerating innovation," he said.
"This achievement will encourage countless youngsters to dream bigger and innovate fearlessly," PM Modi added.
