New Delhi, Aug 15: India celebrates its 72nd Independence Day and Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed everyone in his speech. After hoisting the flag at the Red Fort in Delhi, he made certain promises regarding the progress of the nation. He spoke of development in various fields in the country and a dream of a free society. Among the many promises, he also promised to send an Indian man or woman to space by 2022.

Talking about our scientific development Modi said, "In space technology, we have dreamt something, our scientists have dreamt something. And I am happy to announce that by 2022, the 75th Independence year, we are planning a manned space mission. We will put an Indian in space by 2022 or earlier." The Indian Space Research Organisation has done considerable research and we are proud of our scientists. "Our scientists have made us proud. They launched over 100 satellites... They successfully completed the Mars mission," he continued.

ISRO is currently orbiting the Mars. They had also sent a rover on the Moon and there are plans to launch another mission this year. Indian scientist Rakesh Sharma has been the only Indian citizen to have gone to space, but he went on a Russian spacecraft for their mission.

Modi started his speech by saluting those who lost their lives fighting for our independence. Among the other issues he addressed, he spoke on black money, corruption,  justice for Muslim women from Triple Talaq, the need to liberate from the rape culture.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 15, 2018 09:18 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).