Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended the swift and courageous actions of the Indian Navy in preventing a hijacking attempt on a merchant vessel in the North Arabian Sea during his address at the DGP conference in Jaipur. Highlighting the Navy’s remarkable feat, he emphasized the successful rescue operation that covered a distance of 2000 km, safeguarding 21 crew members, including 21 Indians.

The Marine Commandos of the Indian Navy executed a swift operation to rescue 21 crew members, including 15 Indians, from the seized MV Lila Norfolk, a Liberian-flagged vessel, in the North Arabian Sea. The pirates’ hijack attempt was thwarted through the strong intervention of the Indian Navy, prompting the pirates to abandon their endeavor. The rescued crew members expressed their gratitude by chanting “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and thanking the Indian Navy for their timely rescue.

In addition to lauding the Navy’s courageous mission, Prime Minister Modi also commended the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for the successful placement of India’s first solar observatory, Aditya L1, in its definitive orbit. Positioned near the Lagrange L1 point, approximately 1.5 million kilometers from Earth, Aditya L1 is set to analyze the Sun and its surrounding environment for the next five years.

Modi highlighted the significance of Aditya L1’s achievement, comparing it to the historic success of Chandrayaan-3. The solar observatory’s uninterrupted view from its orbit around the L1 point, without the interference of eclipses or occultations, is expected to significantly enhance our understanding of solar activities and their impact on space weather in real-time.

Officials from ISRO explained that the L1 point within the Sun-Earth system offers a unique advantage for continuous solar observation, as it is only one percent of the total distance between Earth and the Sun. They emphasized that Aditya L1’s continuous observation will contribute valuable insights into solar phenomena.

In conclusion, Prime Minister Modi commended both the Indian Navy and ISRO for their exemplary achievements, showcasing India’s capabilities in both defense and space exploration. The successful thwarting of the hijack attempt and the positioning of Aditya L1 mark significant milestones, underscoring India’s prowess in safeguarding its maritime interests and advancing scientific exploration in space.