PM Modi leads nation in lauding Shubhanshu Shukla, calling him carrier of "hopes of 1.4 billion Indians"

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has etched his name in history, becoming only the second Indian to venture into space, 41 years after Rakesh Sharma's pioneering mission in 1984. His journey as the pilot of the Axiom-4 mission aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, which launched from NASA's historic Launch Complex 39A, has garnered widespread national acclaim, led by a resounding "shout-out" from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Prime Minister Modi emphasized that Shukla carried with him the "wishes, hopes and aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians," highlighting the collective pride in this significant milestone for India's space exploration endeavors. He stated, "Indian astronaut, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is on the way to become the first Indian to go to the International Space Station." This mission is being celebrated across the nation as a testament to India's burgeoning capabilities in space.

President Droupadi Murmu joined the chorus of praise, noting that the mission reflects the enduring partnership between NASA and India's ISRO. She expressed national excitement and pride in Shukla's journey, anticipating that the "wide-ranging experiments to be performed by the crew will lead to new frontiers of scientific studies and space exploration." Union Minister Nitin Gadkari lauded Shukla's flight as proof of "India’s growing prowess in space exploration, empowered by PM Modi's visionary reforms," while Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal declared, "A historic moment! 140 crore dreams soar with you into space." Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also called it a proud moment, emphasizing India's commitment to scientific advancement and global collaboration under PM Modi's leadership.

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force pilot, is slated to spend approximately two weeks aboard the International Space Station, where he will conduct various experiments on behalf of India. The SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft is expected to dock at the ISS at approximately 4:30 PM IST on Thursday.