Image Source : ANI
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the second Indian to travel to space, said India looks “really beautiful” when seen from orbit. He shared this experience during the Felicitation Ceremony for Gaganyatris in New Delhi, attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. “India does look really beautiful. I’m not just saying it because we are Indians… but if you speak to any astronaut, they would agree,” Shukla said. He explained that India’s unique shape and positioning make it one of the most spectacular sights on Earth, especially at night when viewed from south to north over the Indian Ocean.
Shukla presented visuals from the International Space Station (ISS), including the green glow of Earth’s oxygen layer, star-filled skies, and sunrises seen 16 times a day from orbit. He pointed out Bengaluru and Hyderabad on the map while recalling how astronauts never got tired of watching the daily sunrises from space.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla says, "Raksha Mantri felicitated me and I think this mission is a big achievement for our country and it happened at the right time. India is on its journey of a human space flight- Mission Gaganyaan, Bharatiya Antriksh Station, and eventually, landing on moon. The lessons I learnt from this mission are unique and will prove to be critical for executing our missions... The biggest aspect that is making me very happy is the excitement among people and the immense love being showered on me and the support for this mission... Very soon, we have to send an Indian person, on an Indian capsule, from Indian soil... I want to tell the youth that our ambition is ready, our dreams are very big. To fulfil them, we need you. So work hard, chose these fields, develop a curiosity, and explore. There are immense opportunities out there and it is on you to make the best of them and help us realise the dreams. Practice discernment in the age of distraction and stay focused..."
The IAF officer credited the Indian Air Force for his success. “Whatever I have achieved is because of the training and discipline that the Air Force gave me. Anyone in this uniform could have done equally well,” he said.
He reflected on his personal journey, recalling that he was once shy and doubtful of himself. “Cockpit has been my greatest teacher. The Air Force transformed me and brought me where I am today. I owe everything to this uniform,” he added.
Shukla recalled his first conversation with Peggy Whitson, commander of the Axiom-4 mission and the world’s most experienced astronaut. “I asked her, ‘Do you know the difference between God and a pilot?’ She said ‘No.’ I replied, ‘God does not think he is the pilot,’” he said, drawing laughter.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed Shukla and his colleagues Group Captain P V Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, and Group Captain Angad Pratap as the pride of the nation.
“The temperament you showed during training was excellent. I am proud to welcome the sons of Mother India. You have made the country proud,” Singh said. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and Air Force Chief Air Marshal AP Singh also attended the event.
Shukla completed NASA’s Axiom-4 (AX-4) mission and returned to Earth on July 15. He landed in Delhi on August 17, where he received a warm welcome before the official felicitation.
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