Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force was accorded a hero’s welcome at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in the early hours of Sunday.
Shukla, who became the second Indian to travel into space after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, returned from his historic mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh, and a jubilant crowd of citizens received him. They hailed his safe return and praised his achievement.
The Lok Sabha is set to hold a special discussion on Monday on the theme ‘India’s first astronaut aboard the ISS, critical role of space programme for Viksit Bharat by 2047’.
The notice from the Lower House described the debate as an opportunity to celebrate India’s space milestone and highlight its long-term vision.
The session comes against the backdrop of Opposition efforts to raise concerns over alleged voter list manipulation during the ongoing special revision of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar.
The House is expected to unite in appreciation of Shukla’s mission during the discussion on India’s space future.
The Ax-4 Mission & India’s Role
Shukla’s spaceflight was part of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission conducted in June-July, which also carried astronauts from Poland and Hungary.
The mission marked the resumption of human spaceflight for all three countries after more than four decades. He returned to Earth on 16 July.
He brought back critical learnings and experiences that will support the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in preparing for the Gaganyaan mission. These insights will also help in developing the future Bharatiya Antariksh Station.
The Department of Space described Shukla’s achievement as one of ‘strategic importance’. It also said the achievement is reflective of India’s resolve to become a major force in human space exploration.
President Droupadi Murmu, in her Independence Day eve address, hailed the astronaut’s feat.
“I am sure that Shubhanshu Shukla’s space journey to the International Space Station has fired a whole generation to dream bigger. It will prove extremely helpful for India’s upcoming human space flight programme, Gaganyaan,” she said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also lauded the milestone in his Independence Day address.
“Every citizen of the country is filled with pride. Our Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has returned from the space station. We are preparing for Aatmanirbhar Bharat’s Gaganyaan and working towards building our space station,” he declared.
India views Shukla’s mission as a defining moment in its space journey. It reinforces the nation’s vision of becoming a global leader in science and technology by 2047.
As Parliament convenes to deliberate on his achievement, the astronaut’s return marks a historic milestone. It also serves as a stepping stone towards India’s ambitions in human spaceflight.
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