Life will be easier after satellite launch: Modi

New Delhi, April 28 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said life in India will be "easier" now after the launch of the country's seventh navigation satellite that is expected to provide navigation with much better accuracy and targeted position.

Modi congratulated Indian space scientists for the launch of the satellite, which blasted off from the spaceport of Sriharikota. With this, India has now its own navigation satellite system and has joined the league of five nations with their own indigenous GPS technology. 

"I would like to heartily congratulate and appreciate the scientists and teams of ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation). Everyone is experiencing how science can help in making life easier for the common man," he said.

Modi said through space science, "lives of people can be transformed" and "with this successful launch, we will determine our own paths powered by our technology. This is a great gift to people from scientists".

Modi said the system will benefit "our people, our fishermen". "Our efforts will not only help India but can help fellow Saarc nations as well."

He hailed the indigenous satellite technology as "an example of 'Make in India', made in India and made for Indians," Modi said, referring to his government's initiative to make India a global design and manufacturing hub.

Isro had earlier launched six navigation satellites as part of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System or IRNSS, an indigenously developed satellite system.

"All seven satellites were launched successfully, and because of this India is now amongst those five nations that boast of own GPS or navigation satellite system. We are now self-reliant," the prime minister said.

The countries which have already developed their own navigation system are the US, Russia, China, Japan and the European Union.