Isro awarded Indira Gandhi Prize for 2014

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) had been awarded the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2014. The development comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen tweeting his congratulations to the body on the successful launch of the IRNSS 1C satellite.

However, this was not the only award ISRO had bagged this year. A few months ago, the organisation launched the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), better known as Mangalyaan. The US' National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) had partnered with ISRO on an earth observation programme as also a Mars exploration venture.

According to reports, the ISRO bagged the award in recognition of its contribution towards the international 'cooperation in peaceful use of outer space.' The announcement to the effect was made by a jury chaired by vice president Hamid Ansari.

The move comes at a time when India was being propelled into a new era of development, especially in the fields of science and technology. Recognition of the important work done by organisations like ISRO would boost the prime minister's vision of the country as an IT superpower and manufacturing hub.

The prize carries a cash reward of Rs25 lakh, Business Insider India reported.

The announcement was made yesterday by the award jury, chaired by vice president Mohammad Hamid Ansari. "The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development is awarded to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) recognition of its path-breaking achievement, culminating in the Mars orbiter mission, its significant contribution in strengthening international cooperation in peaceful use of outer space," a statement said.

The statement went on to highlight the fact that with the sheer dedication, hard work and out-of-the-box thinking, Indian space scientists had been able make the impossible possible. "It has shown how true self-reliance is, often working in adverse circumstances when it was denied adequate access to the latest research and development elsewhere," it added.

The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development is accorded annually to individuals or organisations in recognition of their efforts towards promotion of international peace, development and a new international economic order.