60th anniversary of launch of first rocket from Thumba to be celebrated on Saturday

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Union Minister Jitendra Singh will inaugurate the 60th anniversary celebration of the launch of the first sounding rocket from Thumpa on Saturday at 9 am at VSSC. ISRO Chairman S Somnath will be the chief guest. Around 300 early employees of ISRO will be felicitated in the function.

There will also be an exhibition covering ISRO's activities, achievements and future plans.

The first sounding rocket was launched from the yard of the Magdalene Maryam Church in Thumba 60 years back. A sounding rocket will be launched from here today bring back its memories. India's first rocket was launched from Thumba on 21 November 1963.

Since then, ISRO has grown into a proud institution of the country and raised India's reputation in front of the world, officials said.