PM Modi embraces Shubhanshu Shukla, says India ‘proud of his feat’ in space

NEW DELHI: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian astronaut to go to the International Space Station (ISS), was embraced by PM Narendra Modi when the country’s spaceman called on him at his 7, Lok Kalyan Marg residence after his successful mission to space.Shukla aka Shux, who arrived in India on Sunday from the US, was patted on the back by the PM for successfully piloting the Axiom-4 mission. He shared pictures of the Earth clicked from ISS with the PM and also shared his experience about the mission and zero-gravity experiments he did in space with Modi.After his one-to-one meet, Modi posted on X, “Had a great interaction with Shubhanshu Shukla. We discussed a wide range of subjects including his experiences in space, progress in science & technology as well as India's ambitious Gaganyaan mission. India is proud of his feat.”A day before, Shukla, who returned from the US after an 18-day space mission on ISS, was given a warm welcome at the IGI airport by space minister Jitendra Singh, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta and a large crowd waving the national flag.Earlier in the day, Parliament honoured the IAF pilot-turned Indian astronaut. The discussion was filled with praise and a strong sense of national pride, even as opposition parties staged a boycott.

“Shubhanshu Shukla’s space travel and safe return is not just a successful mission, but a moment of pride for the entire nation and inspiration for the youth,” LS Speaker Om Birla said. Parliament described Shukla’s achievement as a new chapter in India’s space exploration, noting that it not only advanced homegrown science but also inspired a generation of young Indians to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and space.