Deputy CM and Mayor Greet Group Captain Upon His Return to His Hometown
LUCKNOW: Group Captain and astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla received a grand welcome at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport as he returned to his hometown for the first time since his historic mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Arriving on an Air India flight at 8:30 AM with his family, Shukla was greeted by Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak and Mayor Sushma Kharkwal.
Despite the morning rain, a large number of schoolchildren lined both sides of the road outside the airport, waving the tricolor flag with immense enthusiasm to welcome their hero. The city was adorned with archways and large digital screens celebrating his achievement. The Municipal Corporation arranged a festive atmosphere for his welcome.
City Celebrates Its Space Pioneer
In honor of his return, a roadshow was organized from the G-20 intersection. The BJP city committee also joined in, showering flowers at various locations. The celebrations continued at his alma mater, City Montessori School (CMS), Gomti Nagar Extension, where a grand parade was held and students saluted him. He then attended a ceremony in the CMS auditorium, where he and his parents were felicitated.
In a key announcement, the road from the Sitapur main road to his residence in Triveni Nagar, leading to Florence Nightingale School, has been named ‘Shubhanshu Shukla Marg.’
Inspiring the Next Generation
During his address at the CMS ceremony, Group Captain Shukla shared his experiences and encouraged students to set high aspirations. “Please aspire. We have a vision and a mission to land on the Moon by 2040,” he urged. He described his one-and-a-half-year journey, including the mission itself, as an “amazing experience” and a “milestone not just for me but for India’s growing space ambitions.”
He credited his achievement to teamwork, stating, “You have to be a team player… it’s a must for spaceflight.” He also emphasized the importance of self-reliance, explaining that in space, help is not readily available, so astronauts must learn everything from medicine and engineering to photography and videography.
His wife, Kamna Shukla, also spoke at the event, and Shukla credited her for his success, stating she “predicts what’s going to happen next.”
Mission Highlights and Future Vision
Group Captain Shukla, who was the mission pilot on the Axiom Mission 4, shared several insights from his 20-day stay on the ISS. He performed seven microgravity experiments led by India in fields such as life sciences, agriculture, space biotechnology, and cognitive research. He noted the physical challenge of adapting to microgravity, which included mild headaches for the first three days.
Shukla, a decorated test pilot with over 2,000 flying hours, also shared a short time-lapse video he created from the spacecraft window, showing stunning views of lightning storms over India and the Himalayas. “India truly looks beautiful,” he said, calling the view “one of the most beautiful sights you would ever see in your life.”
First Indian astronaut Rakesh Sharma also congratulated Shukla via video conference, and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath called him a “glorious symbol of courage, dedication, and commitment to science.” . The Chief Minister is scheduled to host a civic reception for Shukla at Lok Bhawan in the evening, with other senior government ministers in attendance.
