India celebrates as Shubhanshu Shukla lands in Delhi
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New Delhi: Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla received a hero’s welcome upon his arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi early Sunday, following his historic two-week mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) in June-July. In recognition of this achievement, the Lok Sabha will hold a special discussion tomorrow on India’s space journey and Shukla’s landmark mission, as per a notice issued by the Lower House.
The debate, titled "India's first astronaut aboard the ISS – critical role of space programme for Viksit Bharat by 2047," is expected to transcend political deadlock and celebrate the nation’s milestone in space exploration. Shukla was warmly received not only by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh but also by numerous citizens who hailed his safe return after successfully completing the mission.
Shukla became the second Indian to travel to space after IAF Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, as part of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission to the ISS. He returned to Earth on July 16. The Ax-4 mission also marked the resumption of human spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary after more than four decades.
Representing the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Shukla’s mission is seen as a significant step toward India’s Gaganyaan program and the establishment of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (Indian Space Station). His return brings valuable experience and learnings to further India’s ambitions in human space exploration.
President Droupadi Murmu, in her address to the nation on the eve of Independence Day, highlighted Shukla’s feat, stating, "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 program, ‘Gaganyaan’."
The Department of Space described Shukla’s mission as one of "strategic importance," underscoring India’s determination to emerge as a serious contender in global human space exploration.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his Independence Day address, lauded Shukla’s historic mission, saying, "Every citizen of the country is seeing the wonders of the space sector and is filled with pride. Our Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has returned from the space station. We are also preparing for Aatmanirbhar Bharat Gaganyaan independently and working toward building our own space station."
The special parliamentary discussion comes amid ongoing political debate, including opposition efforts to highlight alleged manipulation of voter lists and the intensive revision of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar.
With IANS inputs
