Sonia applauds ISRO, hails record launch as 'path breaking'

Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday dubbed the ISRO's launch of a record 104 satellites at one go as "path breaking and historic" and congratulated the scientists of Indian Space Research Organisation.

"India has led the world in space and scientific achievements and this momentous feat by our scientists has once again made the entire nation proud," Gandhi said in a statement.

"All the scientists and supporting staff of ISRO involved and instrumental in contributing to the space science research programmes have once again honoured the vision of our forefathers who always stood to build a scientific temper for the country," she added.

"This illustrious accomplishment has added one more feather in the cap of our hard working scientists," she said.

The Indian rocket Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) on Wednesday morning lifted off successfully with 104 satellites, including the country's earth observation satellite Cartosat-2 series.

The co-passenger satellites are 101 nano satellites, one each from Israel, Kazakhstan, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the UAE and 96 from the US, as well as two nano satellites from India.