Shiv Shakti point

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Shiv Shakti Point is the name given by India to the landing site of the Chandrayaan-3 lunar lander, which touched down about 600 km away from the South pole of the Moon on 23 August 2023.[1][2][3] The site was named on 26 August 2023 at the ISTRAC headquarters in Bengaluru after India became the first country to make a successful soft landing on the South Pole of Moon and fourth country to make a successful soft landing on the surface of Moon.[4] The point is located on the coordinates 69°22′23″S 32°19′08″E / 69.373°S 32.319°E / -69.373; 32.319Coordinates: 69°22′23″S 32°19′08″E / 69.373°S 32.319°E / -69.373; 32.319[5][6] and lies between Manzinus C and Simpelius N craters.[7]

Etymology[edit]

The name Shiv Shakti is derived from the names Shiva, who is one of the principal Hindu deities and Shakti, the divine feminine energy, who is often depicted as the consort of Shiva.[8]

Announcement[edit]

The name was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 26, 2023 while meeting ISRO scientists in Bangalore.[9] Prime Minister Modi noted that the selection of "Shiva-Shakti" was based on concept of "Shiva" as humanitarian determination and "Shakti" as the capability to actualize these humanitarian ambitions, while further noting that "Shakti" is also a tribute to the women scientists.[10]

Reception[edit]

The naming of the point as "Shiv Shakti", sparked a political row in India. It was compared to the Jawahar Point [11]. General people loved the name while senior Indian National Congress leader Rashid Alvi criticised the choice of name.[11]

However, ISRO chairman S. Somanath said that there is no room for controversy over the naming, and that there have been precedents of names being assigned to lunar features. "It's not the first time such name has been given. Indian names are already there. We have a Sarabhai Crater on the Moon. Each country can give their names. Naming is a tradition. There is no controversy over the matter," he said.[12] Former ISRO chairman G Madhavan Nair also said that the whole controversy was completely based on 'misinterpretation'. He said 'shakti' refers to the 'force' that is behind the creation of this universe. "Our pandits and rishis named it Shiva. Our Puranas gave it a form as people could not understand the concept of the force, and that is how the human form and Kailasa all came. It is a different matter. This underlying principle is known as 'shakti' and we do not have to attribute religious motives to it," he concluded.[13]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/explained-why-did-chandrayaan-3-land-on-the-near-side-of-the-moon/article67235632.ece
  2. ↑ Kumar, Sanjay (23 August 2023). "India makes history by landing spacecraft near Moon's south pole". Science.org. Archived from the original on 24 August 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  3. ↑ "Chandrayaan-3 launch on 14 July, lunar landing on 23 or 24 August". The Hindu. 6 July 2023. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 11 July 2023. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  4. ↑ "Modi in Bengaluru Live Updates: Touchdown point of Vikram lander will be known as 'Shivshakti', says PM". The Indian Express. 2023-08-25. Retrieved 2023-08-26.
  5. ↑ "Mission homepage". Archived from the original on 23 June 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  6. ↑ Chandrayaan 3 - After The Landing What Happens Next?, retrieved 2023-08-28
  7. ↑ "India launches Chandrayaan-3 mission to the lunar surface". Physicsworld. 14 July 2023. Archived from the original on 17 July 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  8. ↑ R Jayaprakash. "Chandrayaan-3 landing spot now 'Shiv Shakti Point'". The Sunday Guardian. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  9. ↑ "Chandrayaan-3's Touchdown Point To Be Called Shiv Shakti: PM Modi At ISRO". NDTV. 26 August 2023. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  10. ↑ "What is 'Shivshakti Point'? India's lunar landing site on moon's South Pole". Live Mint. 28 August 2023. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Shiv Shakti vs Jawahar point: Naming of Chandrayaan-3 touchdown site sparks row". India Today. 26 August 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  12. ↑ "No controversy on naming Chandrayaan-3 landing point as 'Shiv Shakti': ISRO chairman". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  13. ↑ ""Even Einstein Referred...": G Madhavan Nair On Temple Visits By Scientists". NDTV.com. Retrieved 2023-08-29.

External links[edit]


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