Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, 26 July 2025, used the 136th edition of his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat' to celebrate the work of Dr Ronaldo Laishram, an astronomer from Manipur currently based in Japan, whose team discovered a massive cluster of young galaxies — named the 'Loktak Protocluster' after Manipur's Loktak Lake. Modi said the achievement has carried the name of the iconic freshwater lake beyond India's borders and into the universe itself.

The Discovery and Its Name

Dr Laishram was part of a research team that identified a vast cluster of young galaxies in deep space. In a tribute to his home state, he chose to name the structure after Loktak Lake — the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India, celebrated for its distinctive floating phumdis, or masses of vegetation and biomass that drift across the water's surface.

Drawing a vivid parallel, Prime Minister Modi said: 'The floating phumdis resemble small islands drifting over a vast expanse of water, much like the young galaxies that together form an enormous structure in space.'

What PM Modi Said

Modi introduced Dr Laishram to his radio audience with evident admiration. 'I will tell you about a person who will make you feel very proud. He is someone actively working in the fields of science and innovation and gaining global recognition; yet, he remains deeply connected to his roots and never forgets to honour his homeland whenever the opportunity arises. This person is Dr Ronaldo Laishram from Manipur,' he said.

The Prime Minister noted that despite sharing his name with the globally famous footballer Ronaldo, Dr Laishram's arena is astronomy — and his discoveries now carry a piece of Manipur into the cosmos. 'Today, Manipur's Loktak is shining bright not only on the country's map but also across the vast universe,' Modi added.

Significance for Manipur and Indian Science

The naming of the Loktak Protocluster has drawn international attention to a region and a natural landmark that, while celebrated within India, rarely features in global scientific discourse. Loktak Lake is also home to the Keibul Lamjao National Park, the world's only floating national park, making the lake itself a site of ecological uniqueness.

This comes amid a broader push by the Indian scientific community to raise the country's profile in astrophysics and space research, with institutions like the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) and ISRO expanding their international collaborations.

A Message for Young Indians

Prime Minister Modi framed Dr Laishram's journey as a lesson in rooted ambition — the idea that global achievement and local pride need not be in conflict. 'It teaches our young people that they can scale new heights while remaining connected to their traditions. These are roots capable of illuminating even the world of stars,' he said.

The spotlight on Dr Laishram during Mann Ki Baat is likely to amplify interest in astronomy careers among students in Northeast India, a region that has historically been underrepresented in India's scientific establishment. Whether institutional support follows the Prime Minister's words will determine how lasting that impact proves to be.