He said the Kerala institute will be 'able to cater to half the annual manpower needs of the ISRO. It is our collective duty to ensure that we create the necessary conditions to attract the best and the brightest to scientific and technological studies'.

Talking about the human face of the Indian space programme, the prime minister said it is firmly rooted to the needs of ordinary men and women.

'The applications of our space based capabilities are... and I say with great pride... are of direct benefit to our national development goals. I am told that 50,000 classrooms are connected through the tele-education network. More than 375 hospitals are providing tele-medicine services to over 300,000 patients. Over 475 village resource centres are providing single window based space services in our country,' he added.

He also honoured a few scientists for their outstanding and lasting commitment to their job and growth of the country.