Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually launched the Indian Space Association on Monday, calling it a 'single window, an independent agency' for space technology.
"India will have to ensure that space plays an important role in uniting, connecting the world in the 21st century," he said and that it will help in making India self-reliant, technologically advanced and a leading player in the space arena.
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He added that reforms in the space sector were based on four pillars: freedom of innovation to the private sector, the government's role as an enabler, preparing the youth for the future and seeing the space sector as a tool for the development of the common man.
The Prime Minister also noted that ISpA's launch was taking place on a day when the world celebrates International Day of the Girl Child. He said thar he was hopeful that reforms in space sector would encourage more women participation.
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Earlier the space sector was only limited to the government, he said. However, "we changed that mindset and introduced innovations in the field." The founding members include Larson & Toubro, Nelco (Tata Group), OneWeb, Bharti Airtel, Mapmyindia, Walchandnagar Industries and Ananth Technology Limited.
The association plans to undertake policy advocacy and engage with all stakeholders in the Indian space domain, including the government and its agencies.
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