Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday hailed the Gaganyaan Mission as both a technological breakthrough and a new chapter in Aatmanirbhar Bharat, placing India firmly among the world’s leading space powers.
He was speaking at a felicitation event for the Gaganyatris, including Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, at the Air Force Auditorium in New Delhi.
The event was also attended by Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan and Chief of the Air Staff AP Singh.
Shubhanshu Shukla Cultivates Crops in Space
Defence Minister Singh revealed that Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla successfully cultivated fenugreek (methi) and green gram (moong) during his space mission.
Praising Shukla, Singh said, “The farmer in you did not leave even when you went into space. None of us imagined that one day an Indian farmer would cultivate crops in space. Your experience will prove valuable for future missions.”
The Defence Minister added that Shukla’s journey would inspire future generations. He said Shukla, though wearing the Air Force uniform, became a representative of humanity as a whole when he entered space.
“History will record this contribution,” Singh remarked.
Singh underlined that India’s space programme is not just about technology or military power, but a milestone in the collective journey of human civilisation.
He highlighted India’s achievements from Chandrayaan to Mangalyaan, noting that limited resources have never stopped India’s determination.
“India has marked its presence from the Moon to Mars, and today we are fully prepared for missions like Gaganyaan. This is not merely a technological achievement, but also a symbol of Atmanirbhar Bharat,” he said.
Space as the Future of Humanity
Calling space the future of the economy, security, energy, and humanity, Singh emphasised that India cannot afford to lag.
He described astronauts as the pioneers of a national dream and praised the benefits of satellites in communication, weather forecasting, agriculture, and disaster management.
He also predicted that space mining and deep-space exploration would shape human civilisation in the future.
Reflecting on his visit to the Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Singh praised its training environment and said Shubhanshu embodied the resilience and courage of India.
Remarkably, Shukla completed his astronaut training in just two-and-a-half months, compared to the usual two years, which Singh said reflected India’s industrious spirit.
Concluding, Singh said the Gaganyaan Mission symbolises more than science.
“This is not only the victory of science, but also the echo of faith. It is a message of dedication and proof of progress for all humanity. As the Prime Minister has said, this space journey is not an end, but the beginning. India has a long way to go in the space sector.”
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