Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday met Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who became the first Indian astronaut to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) on a private commercial mission. Shukla, who returned to India on Sunday, was part of the Axiom-4 mission from June 25 to July 15. The meeting took place at the Prime Minister's Lok Kalyan Marg residence, where Modi welcomed the astronaut with a warm hug.
Shukla, wearing an ISRO astronaut's jacket, presented the Prime Minister with the Axiom-4 mission patch and the Indian tricolour he had carried to the ISS. This tricolour was visible in the background when Shukla had his first interaction with the Prime Minister from space on June 29. The Lucknow-born astronaut also showed Modi pictures he had captured from the ISS on a tablet computer.
Visuals from the meeting showed the prime minister embracing Shukla before interacting with him. Shukla was also seen sharing pictures of the Earth clicked from the International Space Station with PM Modi. He presented the Axiom-4 mission patch to him.
Taking to X, PM Modi wrote, Had a great interaction with Shubhanshu Shukla. We discussed a wide range of subjects including his experiences in space, progress in science & technology as well as India's ambitious Gaganyaan mission. India is proud of his feat."
During his initial interaction with the Prime Minister on June 29, Modi had asked Shukla to document his training and experiences on the ISS to assist India's future space missions, including the Gaganyaan programme. Speaking at a press interaction on August 1, Shukla confirmed he had completed the task entrusted to him by the Prime Minister.
"I remember very well the homework given to me by the prime minister," Shukla said. "And I completed it very well. I am very excited to come back and share it with you all. I am confident that all that knowledge is going to prove extremely useful and crucial for us, for our own Gaganyaan mission."
Om Birla Praises Shubhanshu Shukla in Lok Sabha
Earlier in the day, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla lauded Shukla’s successful space mission and his return from the ISS.
“On this occasion, the (lower) house welcomes Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to India. His space mission and successful return are not merely about the success of the mission, but a matter of pride and inspiration for Indian citizens. Shukla’s achievement is an inspiration for the youth,” Birla said while addressing the House.
The Lower House briefly took up discussion on India’s First Astronaut Aboard the ISS – Critical Role of Space Programme for ‘Viksit Bharat by 2047’, during which Speaker Birla congratulated the astronaut.
Jitendra Singh Slams Opposition For Skipping Discussion On Shubhanshu Shukla
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh, also spoke during the discussion. His remarks came amid sloganeering from opposition MPs, who were pressing for a debate on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list in Bihar.
“The opposition has failed to congratulate the space experts and scientists for our space achievements. Your anger can be with the government. Your anger can be with the BJP and the NDA. But it is surprising that you can be angry with an astronaut. And that astronaut who, apart from being an astronaut, is also a disciplined soldier of the Indian Air Force. He does not belong to any political party,” Singh said in Lok Sabha.
Tharoor Extend Congratulations To Shubhanshu Shukla, Lucknow Prepares To Welcome Him
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, while the Opposition abstained from the special discussion, praised Shukla’s mission.
“Since the Opposition is 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). It served as a stepping stone to our nation’s own human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan,” Tharoor said.
Meanwhile, Shukla’s hometown Lucknow is preparing to honour him. City Mayor Sushma Kharakwal told ANI that the administration has proposed naming the road leading to his house and a park in the city after him.
“Shubhanshu Shukla has made the city and the country proud. We are fortunate that today, a person from Lucknow is known in the world. We have moved a proposal to name the road leading to his house and a park in the city after him. The day he arrives in Lucknow, all Councillors will welcome him at the airport. Lucknow is eagerly awaiting his arrival,” she said.
Shubhanshu Shukla’s Historic ISS Mission
Group Captain Shukla returned to Earth on July 15 after completing NASA’s Axiom-4 (AX-4) mission, which launched from Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on June 25. The crew splashed down off the coast of California after nearly three weeks in orbit.
His journey marked the first time in 41 years that an Indian travelled to space. He landed in Delhi in the early hours of Sunday to a wave of national celebration.