PM, Union ministers, opposition hail Chandrayaan 2 launch

President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and leaders across party lines on Monday hailed the launch of India's second lunar mission Chandrayaan-2 from the spaceport in Sriharikota.

These leaders also congratulated the ISRO scientists and engineers for the "historic launch", and said it was a proud moment for all Indians.

The mission is expected to lead to new discoveries and enrich India's knowledge systems, Kovind said.

In a series of tweets, Modi said every Indian is immensely proud today.

Referring to the indigenous systems used in Chandrayaan-2, he said the mission is "Indian at heart, Indian in spirit!...Efforts such as Chandrayaan-2 will further encourage our bright youngsters towards science, top quality research and innovation."