CHENNAI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday paid glowing tributes to scientists of the Indian Space Research Organisation for indigenous development of "an array of sensitive and advanced technologies while maintaining an unblemished record as far as non-proliferation is concerned," a record that "deserves greater recognition within India and abroad."

Shortly after unveiling a bust of the former ISRO Chairman, Satish Dhawan, at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota near here, Dr. Singh said: "It is a matter of particular pride that international technology denial regimes have not impeded your efforts — in fact, they have spurred you to greater heights." The ISRO scientists "remained undeterred by misplaced and anachronistic restrictions."

Achieving self-reliance in space research and application of space technology for national development had been the driving force of India's programme. "A world-class propellant plant will be set up [at SDSC] to meet the demands of the next generation launch vehicle, GSLV-Mk III. A number of other facilities to test and integrate a new generation of satellites are also on the anvil."

On India's moon mission, Dr. Singh said: "I look forward to the successful launch of the unmanned moon-shot from this centre, using our Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle. Chandrayaan-I will enable our scientific community to embark on more ambitious plans of exploring the universe."

"The implementation of this programme," Dr. Singh said, "will add to the international profile of our space community. Not only Chandrayaan, but our other programmes are now eliciting positive responses from international partners."

Dr. Singh described Satish Dhawan as a "brilliant aeronautical engineer, an outstanding space scientist, a philosopher, a patriot and above all, a great humanist."

The Prime Minister handed over the Astronautical Society of India's awards for 2003 to 17 space scientists including K. Kasturirangan, Director, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore, who won the Aryabhata Award in recognition of his lifetime contribution to promotion of astronautics.

Dr. Singh, who went round the SDSC premises and facilities, also witnessed the launch of a `sounding rocket.' ISRO Chairman G. Madhavan Nair said the SDSC would develop recoverable and reusable launch vehicles.

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