Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi today at his official residence on 7 Lok Kalyan Marg. During the meeting, Shubhanshu presented PM Modi with the tricolor flag that he took to the International Space Station (ISS) during his historic Axiom-4 mission. This tricolor symbolizes the new era of India's manned space flight.
PM Modi warmly embraced Shubhanshu to welcome him. Shubhanshu showed the Prime Minister pictures from his space journey. In the meeting with PM Modi, Shubhanshu Shukla shared the challenges and excitement of his mission, where he engaged in long-term operations with an international crew on the ISS and conducted numerous experiments.
The scientific experiments conducted during the Axiom-4 mission, such as studying the effects of microgravity on the human body and the techniques for space agriculture, are crucial for India's Gaganyaan program. Prime Minister Modi was highly impressed by this symbolic gift. He commended Shubhanshu Shukla's technical achievements and praised him for inspiring the new generation to dream beyond the Earth.
Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla visited the International Space Station in June as part of the Axiom-4 mission. He is the second Indian, after Indian Air Force Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, to travel into space. Shubhanshu returned to Earth on July 16, completing his mission, and has been undergoing rehabilitation in the United States since then. He arrived at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport on the morning of August 17, where Union Minister Jitendra Singh, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and a large crowd gave him a rousing welcome.
Earlier on Monday, the Parliament praised Shubhanshu Shukla for his Ax-4 mission. Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh, highlighted the importance of this mission for India's space ambitions. However, the opposition did not participate in the special parliamentary discussion on this subject. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor posted on X, stating, 'All Indians take pride in Shubhanshu Shukla's ISS mission.' He described it as a significant milestone for the Gaganyaan program.
