Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla on Monday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence, 7 Lok Kalyan Marg. The PM greeted the ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) astronaut with a warm hug, and was also seen lauding him for the feat of becoming the first Indian ever to go to the International Space Station (ISS).

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla was part of Axiom-4 mission where in he went to space along with three others to conduct some experiments in July this year. This was his first space expedition. The mission conducted by NASA, ISRO and SpaceX.

Shukla gifted the tricolour he carried to the space to PM Modi. “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,” the PM said in a post on X.

On Monday, Lok Sabha lauded Shukla for the feat and Speaker Om Birla said that the astronaut is an inspiration for the youths.

Highlighting the importance of Shukla’s achievements, he said it was important for the space program for the ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047.

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“On this occasion, the (lower) house welcomes Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to India. His space mission and successful return are not merely about the success of the mission, but a matter of pride and inspiration for Indian citizens. Shukla’s achievement is an inspiration for the youth,” Birla said while addressing the Lok Sabha.

Union Ministers, Tharoor praise Shukla amid chaos in parliament

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh, spoke amid heavy sloganeering by the opposition members over their demand for discussion on Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list in Bihar. Singh hit out at the Opposition parties, and expressed surprise that the opposition cannot even praise the country’s achievements in space .

“The opposition has failed to congratulate the space experts and scientists for our space achievements. Your anger can be with the government. Your anger can be with the BJP and the NDA. But it is surprising that you can be angry with an astronaut. And that astronaut who, apart from being an astronaut, is also a disciplined soldier of the Indian Air Force. He does not belong to any political party,” Jitendra Singh said in Lok Sabha.

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Earlier in the day, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor praised Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s recent mission to the International Space Station (ISS), highlighting its importance for India’s human spaceflight ambitions.

“Since the Opposition is 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 (ISS). It served as a stepping stone to our nation’s own human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan,” Tharoor added.

Axion4 Mission

Shukla, who returned to Earth on July 15 after completing NASA’s Axiom-4 (AX-4) space mission, landed in the national capital in the early hours of Sunday. He was part of NASA’s Axiom-4 Space Mission, which took off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, US, on June 25.

He returned to Earth on July 15, splashing down off the coast of California. He became the first Indian in 41 years to travel to space.

(With agency inputs)