PM'S STATEMENT IN THE LOK SABHA ON THE SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH OF GSLV

---

The Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee made the following statement today in the Lok Sabha on the successful launch of indigenously made GSLV:

"I would like to inform the House of the successful second test flight of the indigenously made Geo-Synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota just a few minutes ago. The experimental communication satellite, GSAT-2, was injected precisely into its planned geo-synchronous transfer orbit.

This is a matter of great pride for all Indians. I am sure the House would join me in congratulating all the personnel of the Indian Space Research Organisation and its associated research laboratories and industrial units for reaching yet another landmark in space."

The Minister of State for Space will make a fuller statement in the House later.