Udaipur:  Under the aegis of the 'Janmat Manch' (Public Opinion Forum), and on the occasion of the International Day of Human Spaceflight, President Dr. Srinivas Mahawar shared historical insights, noting that the International Day of Human Spaceflight is celebrated annually on April 12th. The objective of this observance is to promote the contribution of space exploration to sustainable development.
In 1957, the Soviet Union launched the first man-made satellite into space. This satellite was named Sputnik I. Four years later, another historic event took place. On April 12, 1961, Yuri Gagarin undertook the first human spaceflight. Gagarin was a Soviet citizen, a pilot, and a cosmonaut. His spacecraft, Vostok I, was the first vehicle to complete an orbit around the Earth. His journey around the Earth lasted for more than 108 minutes. Gagarin's journey proved to be a significant milestone in the Space Race.
On this occasion, the Forum's Secretary Shirish Nath Mathur, along with Dr. Priyadarshi Ojha, Vinod Kumar Chaudhary, and Dr. Kunal Ameta, shed light on the subject, explaining that without space exploration, we would not have satellites in space. These satellites enhance communication, security, and navigation. Satellites can also assist meteorologists in forecasting the weather. In the modern era, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and GPS serve as excellent examples of this.
Many space museums, science centers, and schools organize special programs on this day to facilitate learning about space. These events include special exhibitions, lectures, and discussions on how space exploration can unite humanity. Regarding the United Nations and the dawn of the Space Age: since its very inception, the United Nations has recognized that outer space adds a new dimension to the existence of humanity. The United Nations family remains continuously committed to harnessing the unique benefits of outer space for the well-being of all mankind. On April 12, 1961, the first human spaceflight was undertaken by the Soviet citizen Yuri Gagarin. This historic event paved the way for space exploration for the benefit of all humanity.