Congress lauds Mars mission's success

The Congress Party on Wednesday expressed joy and happiness over India becoming the first country to enter the Mars orbit on its first attempt.

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi said in a statement, "A historic day for us as India becomes the first country to enter the Mars orbit on its first attempt. Congratulations to the #Mangalyaan team and ISRO on this extraordinary achievement."

Party spokesperson Shashi Tharoor also told ANI, "This achievement is beyond politics, this is a great success for India. I can't tell you how exciting this is. We reached the moon now we have reached the Mars."

Earlier today, while congratulating ISRO on its unparalleled achievement, former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said the UPA was humbled by the privilege of having been the government that piloted the Mangalyaan project.

Speaking to ANI, Dr. Singh said, "We are indeed humbled by the privilege of having been the government that piloted the Mangalyaan project. Its success gives our scientists and the nation immense satisfaction."

After a 300-day marathon, covering over 670 million kilometers, the Mars Orbiter Mission or MOM successfully entered the Martian orbit on its maiden attempt.

With its advent into the Martian orbit, the Indian Space Research Organisation became the fourth space agency to reach Mars after Roscosmos, NASA and ESA.