Even Pakistanis Hail Chandrayaan-3's Historic Landing

People across the world are hailing the successful landing of India's Chandrayaan-3 on the lunar south pole on Wednesday.

The feat of ISRO scientists is being admired even in Pakistan, a country often seen as inimical to India, according to a PTI report.

The Chandrayaan-3 mission has struck a chord with the common people in Pakistan. "India is marching ahead, we are nowhere," said Ayub Akhtar, a resident of Islamabad, told the news agency.

Echoing his views, Shamina Begum from Karachi said that India has stolen a march on them in science and technology, while Pakistan is battling for basics like food and education, amid high inflation and internal conflicts. Several others pointed a finger at Pakistan's political class for "letting the country down".

Also, people from Nepal also expressed their happiness on the success of India in the latest space exploration and extended congratulations and also wished to work in collaboration with India to share the benefits.

Nepal's former Minister of Science, Technology, and Environment, Ganesh Shah, noted that around fifty years back, India was collaborating with Russia to conduct studies and research in the field of space. However, he highlighted that India has now attained remarkable achievements in the realm of space exploration.

He said, "From now onwards, our livelihood will depend on how much we can utilise the outer space and space exploration. Now we should intensify our study, exploration and utilisation of space for attaining economic prosperity. We should utilise the data received from spacecraft to forecast weather at a time when we are fighting with the impacts of climate change."

"The data received from the spacecraft can be utilised for boosting agricultural products, GIS systems and to harness water resources and forest products. We need no more rely on the data released by NASA as our neighbouring country has become capable in space exploration," he added.

Birendra K Jha, Assistant Professor at Global College in Kathmandu, claimed that this success belongs to the entire science and technology community in the world. "In the future, Nepal can also collaborate with India in the field of space exploration and share the benefits enjoyed by the neighbouring country in the field of space technology. It is also a matter of pride for Nepali people being a good neighbour of India," he said.

Rishave Dev Khanal, the Program Coordinator at Global College in Kathmandu, mentioned that India's accomplishment has also served as a source of inspiration for the people of Nepal. "The success of India in space exploration has given opportunity for Nepalese people too as it opens doors for us to involve in space study and research in the neighbouring country," said Shulav Khatiwada, a student. Another student Luma Subba said Nepal can also take inspiration from the success attained by neighbouring India.

India on Wednesday scripted history as the ambitious third Moon mission of the ISRO touched down on the Moon's south pole, propelling the country to an exclusive club of four and making it the first nation to land on the uncharted surface.