Astronaut Shubanshu Shukla: A Symbol of India's Space Ambitions

Astronaut and Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, fresh from a triumphant mission to the International Space Station (ISS), met with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Delhi on Thursday. This follows his encounter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier in the week. Shukla piloted the Axiom-4 Space Mission to the ISS, returning to Earth on July 15, landing back in the national capital by Sunday morning.

On Monday, Shukla's accomplishments were spotlighted in the Lok Sabha, with Speaker Om Birla emphasizing the inspirational nature of his mission for the nation. Birla underscored the mission's symbolic importance for India's space aspirations, particularly the vision of a developed India, termed 'Viksit Bharat', by 2047. Birla acknowledged Shukla's journey as a source of national pride and inspiration, particularly for the youth.

The session also witnessed Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh, criticizing the opposition's failure to celebrate India's space successes, an issue made more contentious by calls for discussions on unrelated matters in Bihar. Despite political tensions, the recognition of Shukla's achievements remains an emblematic step in India's space endeavors.

(With inputs from agencies.)