Dehradun

Former ISRO Chairman S. Somnath on Friday said that India is on track to emerge as a superpower by 2047, powered by advances in space technology and manufacturing that will make the country a global supplier in key sectors.

Speaking at the inauguration of the 71st convention of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Somnath said India today is being viewed with unprecedented respect worldwide.

“This is the first time India is being looked at differently across the globe, and this has been possible because we are pillars of democratic stability,” he remarked.

Emphasising that “science and spirituality can coexist”, Somnath said that India’s spiritual heritage aligns with modern scientific knowledge, noting that ancient sages pioneered work in mathematics, astronomy, metallurgy, architecture, and medicine.

Somnath highlighted India’s demographic strength, noting that 25% of the population is young, a trend that will continue for the next 25 years and drive national progress.

He praised the government’s policy push in high-technology sectors, saying that permitting private participation in the nuclear sector will open major opportunities for youth, as will the focus on green technology.

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Referring to India’s space milestones, Somnath said the success of Chandrayaan-3 made India the first country to land near the lunar south pole, and the Aditya-L1 mission marked the country’s first dedicated step toward exploring the Sun.