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Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s first astronaut and test pilot in the Indian Air Force, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official residence today in the capital, marking a historic occasion.
Shukla gave the prime minister the Indian national flag, which he had personally carried to the ISS on his historic Ax-4 mission, signifying the country’s entry into a new age of human spaceflight, in a gesture full of patriotism.
Shukla described the thrill and difficulties of his historic voyage, in which an Indian astronaut actively participated in long-duration space operations aboard the ISS as a member of an international crew, during the meeting.
The scientific research completed on board, ranging from studies on human physiology in microgravity to new technologies for space agriculture have obvious ramifications for India’s own Gaganyaan human spaceflight ambitions.
Touched by the symbolic gift, Prime Minister Modi praised Shukla for encouraging a generation to dream beyond Earth in addition to his technical accomplishments.
Parliament on Monday paid glowing tribute to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla for his historic Ax-4 mission to the International Space Station.
Union Minister of State for Science & Technology, Jitendra Singh, led the commemoration by lauding Shukla’s achievements and their significance for India’s aspirations in space.
While the Opposition did not paerticipate in the special session, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor complimented the Indian fighter pilot’s space trip.
Tharoor in a post on X said, “Since the Opposition are not participating in the special discussion, let me say how proud all Indians are of the recent mission of Commander Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station (ISS).” Tharoor emphasised that Shukla’s pioneering mission represents a crucial milestone for India’s budding human spaceflight ambitions, serving as a direct stepping stone for the nation’s highly anticipated Gaganyaan program.
Shukla’s Ax-4 mission, conducted in collaboration with international partners, provided invaluable experience and advanced India’s ambitions for its own human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan.
DSource: IT
