Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla receives rousing welcome in Lucknow
Indian Air Force pilot receives grand welcome as he arrives in his hometown after becoming the first Indian to reach the International Space Station
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla received a rousing welcome as he arrived in Lucknow on Monday (August 25), greeted warmly by children, admirers, and dignitaries.
Shukla was received by Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, who was present at the airport to receive him.
His alma mater, City Montessori School (CMS), Lucknow, organised a grand victory parade to celebrate his achievement.
Also Read: Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla shares details about ISS training, journey
Rousing welcome
Family members, along with people from across Uttar Pradesh, thronged the airport to celebrate the astronaut’s return after his historic mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
As Shukla stepped out, chants of pride filled the air, with CMS students waving Tricolours and showering admiration. School students were dressed up as astronauts to welcome Shubhanshu Shukla.
"Today is a big day for Lucknow. The son of Bharat, the son of Lucknow, set foot in Lucknow. Ever since he returned to earth from space, the people of Lucknow were eagerly waiting for his arrival. Today, that moment is finally here. We welcome Shubhanshu Shukla with warmth and love," deputy CM Brajesh Pathak said.
Also Read: Grew up shy, didn't dream will fly to space: Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla
Victory parade
From the airport, Shukla headed to City Montessori School Gomti Nagar for a felicitation ceremony.
A car parade was also planned, beginning from the airport and moving through the Gomti Nagar Vistar Campus to G-20 Chowk.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla with his wife Kamna and others during a victory parade in Lucknow on Monday | PTI
At his alma mater, the City Montessori School, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla said he was very tired in the morning, but seeing the children waiting on the roads, smiling, sweating, and full of excitement, made his fatigue vanish.
Shukla noted that in all his interactions with students from the International Space Station, none asked what life on the ISS was like. Instead, they wanted to know how to become astronauts, which he said reflected their forward-looking mindset.
He urged students to aspire higher, pointing out that India has a vision and a mission to land on the moon by 2040.
Also Read: Gaganyaan mission symbol of new chapter in journey of Atmanirbhar Bharat: Rajnath
Historic mission
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath hailed Shukla as a “symbol of courage and dedication,” stating that his achievement has made every Indian, especially the people of Uttar Pradesh, proud.
Earlier, on Sunday (August 24), Defence Minister Rajnath Singh felicitated Shukla and his colleagues, Group Captain PV Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, and Group Captain Angad Pratap.
Reflecting on the mission, Shukla lauded the Axiom Mission 4 to the ISS, calling it a milestone that would guide India’s future endeavours in space, including human space flight mission, Mission Gaganyaan, the Bharatiya Antriksh Station, and eventually, landing on the moon.
Also Read: Shubhanshu Shukla says ISS mission aids Gaganyaan, Antariksh plans
Shukla scripts history
Shukla, an accomplished Indian Air Force pilot, created history as the first Indian to reach the ISS.
He launched aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre on June 26 and returned on July 15 after an 18-day mission filled with experiments led by ISRO and other orbital activities.
Following rehabilitation in the US, he returned to India on August 17, where he met the Prime Minister before heading to Lucknow for the public celebration.