Shubhanshu Shukla Meet PM Narendra Modi, Special Lok Sabha Debate on India’s Space Future
Shubhanshu Shukla: A three-hour special discussion today in the Lok Sabha will honour Shubhanshu Shukla as the first Indian to visit the International Space Station. The session also highlights the crucial role India’s Space Program plays in achieving its vision for a Viksit Bharat by 2047. The event is of great significance, as it commemorates Shukla’s 18-day historic space mission with the Axiom-4 Crew and his return to India.
New Delhi gave Shubhanshu Shukla a warm welcome as he returned from space on Sunday. Shubhanshu Shukla had been back to Earth since July 15 and was welcomed to India the previous day. The airport was crowded with enthusiastic supporters waving the tricolor of India and beating their drums to welcome the astronaut. Shukla’s “Thank You, Sir” on X was a powerful expression of national pride. “It feels great to be home,” Shukla replied to the greeting of Union Minister Jitendra.
Singh, commenting on Shukla’s return on X, wrote, “India’s space glory reaches Indian soil… As the iconic son of Mother India #Gaganyatri Shubhanshu Shukla, lands in Delhi this morning in the early hours.” He was accompanied by another equally talented Group Captain, Prashanth Balakrishnan, who is one of the astronauts chosen for India’s Gaganyaan, its first human space mission.
The session will focus on deliberations about the implications of the space program and how it can help India achieve greater self-reliance, economic growth, and technological advancements. Discussions on “India’s first astronaut aboard the International Space Station – Critical Role for the Space Programme to ‘Viksit Bharat by 2047′” will highlight how space technology can propel India towards achieving its long-term goals.
Shukla’s mission placed India on the map of global space exploration. Shukla spent almost a year in intensive training in the United States before joining the Axiom-4 Mission from June 25, 2023, to July 15, 2023. In achieving this milestone, Shukla becomes the second Indian to travel into space. This highlights India’s growing capabilities for international collaborations as well as human space exploration. Shukla, who met Prime Minister Narendra Modi tonight at his home, will then travel to Lucknow and participate in National Space Day festivities in New Delhi on 22-23 August.
The historic event not only honors Shubhanshu Shukla, but it also highlights the immense potential that India’s Space Program holds in contributing to technological innovation and growth over the coming years.
India’s Space Program
India’s space programme, under the leadership of ISRO, is now a world leader for high-impact, cost-effective exploration. India’s space program, led by ISRO, has emerged as a global leader in high-impact and cost-effective space exploration.
