Lucknow welcomed Indian Air Force (IAF) Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla with great fanfare on Monday following his historic mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
Family members, students, and residents lined up at Lucknow Airport to receive the astronaut, waving the Tricolour and showering flowers on his convoy.
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and state BJP president Bhupendra Chaudhary was among the dignitaries to greet Shukla.
Chaudhary lauded the astronaut, saying, “Under the leadership of PM Modi, India has achieved new heights in space technology. Shubhanshu Shukla has shown a new path to the entire world and is an inspiration for the youth.”
Students from Shukla’s alma mater joined the celebrations, chanting slogans of pride.
One student remarked, “I want to become like Shubhanshu Shukla so that I can make my country proud like he did.” Another added, “He has made the entire nation proud, and we are thrilled to welcome him.”
The convoy proceeded from the airport to CMS Gomti Nagar via G-20 Chowraha, with crowds cheering and chanting ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ along the route.
BJP leaders also participated, showering flower petals on Shukla’s vehicle near Mata Ramabai Ambedkar Maidan.
Shukla completed his Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission in June, becoming the first Indian to reach the ISS through this programme. His 18-day mission involved several ISRO-led experiments and other activities on the orbital lab.
Following the mission, he underwent rehabilitation in the US before returning to India on August 17, where he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
International partners and India celebrated the Ax-4 mission for providing critical experience and bolstering India’s ambitions for its upcoming human spaceflight programme, Gaganyaan.
Shukla expressed his gratitude to the public, stating, “I am very happy and excited. It feels wonderful to see the excitement among people here.”
His visit to Lucknow marks his first public appearance in his hometown following the successful mission, drawing widespread admiration from citizens and officials alike.
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