A journey in space for humanity; Rajnath’s tribute to astronaut Shukla

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla speaks at a felicitation function for Gaganyatris, in New Delhi on Sunday.
| Photo Credit:
ANI

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday felicitated four Indian Air Force officers—Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, Group Captain PB Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, and Group Captain Angad Pratap—who are part of Gaganyaan mission, India’s first human spaceflight mission under the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

The felicitation ceremony took place in the national capital, where Singh hailed the astronauts, referred to as ‘Gaganyatris’, as “gems of the nation” and “pioneers of national aspirations”. He underscored the significance of India’s increasing capabilities in the field of space, calling it a critical domain for the future of the global economy, security, energy, and humanity.

“We do not see space only as a field of research, but as the future of tomorrow’s economy and civilisation,” Singh said, while highlighting India’s achievements in space exploration, from Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan to the upcoming Gaganyaan mission.

The Defence Minister described the mission as a historic step forward for Aatmanirbhar Bharat, noting that India’s space programme, despite limited resources, has achieved remarkable success through determination and innovation. “This is not merely a technological milestone, but a new chapter in self-reliant India,” he said.

Special recognition was given to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who recently returned from the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom Mission 4. Singh lauded Shukla for completing two-and-a-half years’ worth of training in just two-and-a-half months, calling it “a remarkable testament to his personal dedication and the spirit of the Indian people.”

“Though he wears the uniform of the Indian Air Force, his journey into space was not merely for the Armed Forces or for India alone—it was on behalf of all humanity,” Singh remarked, describing Shukla as a symbol of civil-military fusion.

The Minister also acknowledged the vital role played by the Institute of Aerospace Medicine in preparing the astronauts for their missions.

Group Captain Shukla shared insights from his time aboard the ISS, recalling the experience as extraordinary and deeply humbling. His mission was conducted in collaboration with Axiom Space, a private space company.

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and Air Chief Marshal AP Singh were also present at the event, which marked a key moment in India’s journey toward manned space exploration.

As India prepares for its first crewed space mission, Singh reaffirmed the government’s commitment to advancing space technologies and highlighted the transformative potential of future ventures such as space mining, deep space exploration, and planetary resource utilisation.

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Published on August 24, 2025