Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech at the 57th convocation of IIT Delhi has gone viral online after he used a mix of Gen-Z language and India’s recent achievements to inspire young graduates.
Among those who reacted to the Prime Minister’s remarks was Pawan Kumar Chandana, co-founder of Skyroot Aerospace. His short response on X quickly attracted attention as he connected PM Modi’s words with his own journey in India’s private space sector.
PM Modi Highlights Young India’s Achievements
PM Narendra Modi addressed more than 3,000 graduating students at IIT Delhi’s convocation on Saturday, August 8. The gathering included undergraduate students, postgraduate students and PhD scholars who received their degrees.
First in my bloodline to build a rocket. 🚀
Thanks for the mention @narendramodi ji. @SkyrootA https://t.co/D3AlWS0iYP
— Pawan Chandana (@PawanKChandana) August 8, 2026
During his speech, PM Modi spoke about the growing contribution of young Indians to fields such as space technology, semiconductors and drones.
While describing the achievements of the country’s young engineers, he used a line that immediately caught attention online.
He said that somewhere in India, a young engineer could proudly say, “First in my bloodline to build a rocket.”
The statement was shared by MyGovIndia on X and soon started gaining traction on social media.
Skyroot Co-Founder Responds To PM Modi
Pawan Kumar Chandana, who co-founded Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace, noticed the Prime Minister’s reference and responded on X.
Reacting to the speech, Chandana wrote:
“First in my bloodline to build a rocket. Thanks for the mention, Narendra Modi ji.”
The brief post received appreciation from social media users, many of whom congratulated Chandana and praised his contribution to India’s private space industry.
Several users described his journey as inspirational and wished him and his team continued success.
Who Is Pawan Kumar Chandana?
Pawan Kumar Chandana is an IIT Kharagpur graduate who completed a dual BTech-MTech degree in Mechanical Engineering.
He joined ISRO in 2012 and worked on various space-related programmes during his time with the organisation.
After gaining experience in the space sector, Chandana decided to move into entrepreneurship.
How Skyroot Aerospace Was Founded
In 2018, Pawan Kumar Chandana and fellow former ISRO engineer Naga Bharath Daka founded Skyroot Aerospace in Hyderabad.
The company was established with the aim of contributing to India’s growing private space industry and developing rockets for commercial space missions.
Skyroot later became one of the companies closely watched as India opened greater opportunities for private participation in the space sector.
Skyroot’s Vikram-S Created History
Skyroot Aerospace made headlines in 2022 when it launched Vikram-S.
The mission became significant as it was India’s first privately developed suborbital rocket.
The achievement marked an important moment for India’s emerging private space sector and demonstrated the growing capabilities of Indian space startups.
Vikram-1 Takes Skyroot To Another Level
Skyroot Aerospace later reached another major milestone with its Vikram-1 rocket.
The rocket was launched on July 18 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota and successfully reached orbit.
The achievement further highlighted the role of private Indian companies in the country’s expanding space ecosystem.
For Chandana, PM Modi’s IIT Delhi speech therefore had a direct connection with the journey that began with his move from ISRO to building a private space company.
Why PM Modi’s Speech Went Viral
The IIT Delhi speech attracted attention not only because of its message but also because of the Prime Minister’s use of language associated with Gen Z.
PM Modi spoke about the achievements of young Indians in a way that connected traditional ideas of national development with newer areas such as rockets, drones, semiconductors and advanced technology.
The phrase about being the “first in my bloodline to build a rocket” particularly stood out because it represented how young Indians are entering fields that were once considered accessible only to a limited number of institutions and organisations.
Social Media Users Praise Chandana
After Chandana responded to PM Modi, several users congratulated him on X.
Some praised his determination and described his journey from working at ISRO to building a private aerospace company as inspiring.
Others congratulated the Skyroot team and expressed hope that the company would achieve even greater milestones in the future.
The interaction also brought renewed attention to the growing contribution of Indian startups to the space sector.
India’s Private Space Sector Continues To Grow
The journey of Skyroot Aerospace reflects the changing landscape of India’s space industry.
For decades, India’s space achievements were largely associated with government institutions. The emergence of private companies has added a new dimension to the sector.
Companies such as Skyroot are now working on technologies that can support commercial launches and expand India’s presence in the global space market.
The success of privately developed rockets has also become a source of inspiration for young engineers and entrepreneurs across the country.
Conclusion
PM Narendra Modi’s IIT Delhi convocation speech became a talking point online after his Gen-Z-style reference to young Indians building rockets and achieving milestones in advanced technology.
For Skyroot Aerospace co-founder Pawan Kumar Chandana, the line had a special meaning.
His response, “First in my bloodline to build a rocket. Thanks for the mention, Narendra Modi ji,” connected the viral speech with his own journey from ISRO engineer to private space entrepreneur.
With Skyroot’s Vikram-S and Vikram-1 missions marking important milestones, Chandana’s story has become another example of the changing role of young Indian engineers in the country’s space ambitions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Pawan Kumar Chandana?
Pawan Kumar Chandana is an IIT Kharagpur graduate, former ISRO engineer and co-founder of Skyroot Aerospace.
What did Pawan Kumar Chandana say about PM Modi’s speech?
He reacted to PM Modi’s viral line by writing, “First in my bloodline to build a rocket. Thanks for the mention, Narendra Modi ji.”
When was Skyroot Aerospace founded?
Skyroot Aerospace was founded in 2018 by Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka.
What is Skyroot Aerospace known for?
Skyroot Aerospace is known for developing the Vikram series of rockets. Its Vikram-S mission in 2022 became a major milestone for India’s private space sector.
What was PM Modi’s IIT Delhi speech about?
PM Modi addressed graduating students at IIT Delhi and highlighted the achievements of young Indians in areas including space technology, semiconductors and drones, while encouraging the next generation to contribute to India’s development.