'Inspired To Dream Big': President Praises Shubanshu Shukla In I-Day Eve Address

Last Updated:August 14, 2025, 19:46 IST

President Droupadi Murmu praised Group Captain Shubanshu Shukla for his historic ISS journey, calling it inspirational. Shukla, part of Axiom-4, conducted crucial ISRO experiments.

President Droupadi Murmu addresses the nation on the eve of the 79th Independence Day.

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday lauded Indian Air Force Group Captain and astronaut Shubanshu Shukla for his historic journey to the International Space Station (ISS), calling his achievement an inspiration for an entire generation.

“Shubhanshu Shukla’s journey to the International Space Station has inspired an entire generation to dream big," said President Murmu during her address to the nation on the eve of India’s 79th Independence Day. This was her fourth address as President.

Group Captain Shukla made history on June 26 by becoming the first ISRO astronaut to set foot aboard the ISS. He was part of the four-member Axiom-4 private space mission, which launched aboard SpaceX’s Falcon-9 rocket from Florida on June 25. The crew safely returned to Earth with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego, California, on July 15, following a 22.5-hour journey back.

During the 18-day stay in orbit, Shukla and his fellow astronauts — Peggy Whitson (USA), Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary) — conducted over 60 experiments and 20 outreach sessions.

Shukla himself completed seven microgravity experiments for ISRO, focusing on muscle regeneration, radiation exposure, algae growth, crop resilience, and human physiology — all crucial for India’s upcoming Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission, targeted for 2027.

Shukla, a native of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, has become a symbol of pride across India. His achievement has especially stirred excitement in his hometown, with family, friends, and locals celebrating his role in advancing India’s space ambitions.

His feat was also praised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who said that Shukla has inspired a billion dreams and taken a major step forward for India’s space journey.

(With inputs from agencies)

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August 14, 2025, 19:46 IST

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