Modi-Shux meet: PM meets India’s first ISS astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla; receives mission patch, Earth photos

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met India’s first astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS), Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, on Monday. Shukla presented Axiom-4 mission patch to PM Modi and shared pictures of the Earth he clicked from the International Space Station.Earlier in the day, Shukla was honoured in the Lok Sabha during a special discussion on his milestone mission.Shukla, who returned to Earth on July 15 after completing an 18-day Axiom-4 mission, conducted over 60 experiments alongside three other astronauts aboard the ISS. His achievement marks a key step towards India’s human spaceflight ambitions under the Gaganyaan programme.

Rijiju urges unity in ParliamentParliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju said the discussion in the House was aimed at celebrating both Shukla’s personal milestone and India’s progress in space.

“Our hero astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has returned home after a successful mission to the ISS. Parliament will honour him with a special discussion on his historic milestone and India's growing space ambitions in our journey towards Viksit Bharat,” Rijiju posted on X.He urged Opposition MPs to participate in the debate “in the same spirit as they had during Operation Sindoor.” However, Opposition parties chose to boycott the session, leading to repeated disruptions and the House being adjourned.

Tharoor praises astronautBreaking ranks with his party colleagues, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor lauded Shukla’s mission on social media.“Since the Opposition are not participating in the special discussion, let me say how proud all Indians are of the recent mission of Commander Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station. It served as a stepping stone to our nation’s own human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan,” Tharoor wrote.Government highlights India’s space futurePM Modi had earlier praised Shukla in his Independence Day address, reiterating India’s ambition to build its own space station.

Isro Chairman V Narayanan has set a target of 2028 for placing the first module in orbit, with the station expected to be fully operational by 2035.Union MoS for science and technology Jitendra Singh criticised Opposition MPs for refusing to acknowledge the achievement. “Your anger can be with the government and the BJP, but it is surprising you can be angry with an astronaut. He is not linked to any political party. You are angry with the earth, you are angry with the sky and today you seem to be angry with space as well,” Singh said.From training to triumphShukla’s journey included nearly a year of intensive training in the US before being selected for the ISS mission. On his return, he expressed gratitude to the nation and said he would share his experiences with students and scientists across India. He is also set to attend National Space Day events later this month.