Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla says ‘Jai Hind, Jai Bharat’ after scripting history on ISS

Published on Authored by C to I News Desk

Shubhanshu Shukla on Thursday, June 26, became the first Indian to enter the International Space Station (ISS), marking a historic moment in the country’s space journey.

Shubhanshu Shukla
Shubhanshu Shukla (middle left) and other astronauts at the ISS. Photo courtesy: Screengrab from X

In his first message from the ISS, delivered in Hindi, Shukla said he was excited about the scientific experiments planned for the next 14 days. “A small message for my fellow countrymen. With your love and blessings, I have safely reached the International Space Station. It may look easy to stand here, but it’s not that easy. My head feels heavy and there’s a little discomfort, but these are very small things, and in a few days we’ll get used to them,” Shukla said.

ALSO READ: Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla reaches ISS aboard Dragon spacecraft ‘Grace’

“For the next 14 days, we will stay here, conduct many scientific experiments, and stay in touch with you. This phase also marks the first step in our own space journey. I spoke to you a little while ago from the Dragon spacecraft, and I will keep speaking from here as well. Let’s make this journey exciting and participate with great enthusiasm. I’m carrying the Indian tricolour on my shoulder, and I believe the next 14 days will be thrilling. Jai Hind, Jai Bharat,” he added.

He is part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), the fourth private astronaut mission to the ISS. The crew launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 2:31 a.m. EDT (12:00 noon IST) on Wednesday, June 25, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

The spacecraft, named Grace, completed docking with the ISS at 6:31 a.m. EDT (4:01 p.m. IST) on Thursday while orbiting above the North Atlantic Ocean.

Following a soft docking, a secure connection was established between the spacecraft and the ISS through hard-mating, which involves 12 sets of hooks locking the vehicles together.

This enabled power and communication links. Hatch-opening procedures took about two hours, after which the astronauts entered the station.

Shukla also thanked the ISS crew for their warm welcome. “It has been a wonderful ride – I was looking forward to coming to space. The minute I entered the ISS and met this crew, you made me feel so welcome, as if you literally opened your house doors for us. Whatever expectations I had have been surpassed – by the view, of course, but also by you. Thank you so much,” he said.

“I’m very confident the next 14 days will be amazing as we advance science and research together,” he added.

Shubhanshu Shukla is now the second Indian to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma, who flew in 1984. His fellow crew members on Ax-4 are Commander Peggy Whitson from the United States, Mission Specialist Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland, and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu from Hungary.

With this mission, Poland and Hungary have also sent their second astronauts to space in over four decades.

The Ax-4 mission has drawn wide attention in India not only for its scientific goals, but also for the inspirational story of a small-town boy who made it to space.

Teachers recall a disciplined, focused student

Shukla was born in Lucknow, where he completed his schooling before joining the National Defence Academy. His teachers from school recalled his discipline, focus, and all-round performance in both academics and sports.

“I used to interact with him quite often. He was very focused and disciplined. While going to space may not have been his initial dream, I believe it developed during his time at the NDA. He was also very good at football. I’m proud to see how far he’s come,” said Sunita Pandey, one of his teachers, to IANS.

Sweta Saxena, who taught him during his early years, said Shukla was always in the top 10 of his class, while Science was his favourite subject, which is why he chose Physics, Chemistry, and Maths (PCM) for Class 12. Saxena remembers Shukla as a student who focused on both studies and sports.

Archana Agarwal, who taught Shukla from Classes 6 to 8, told IANS, “He was a dreamer and a disciplined child. Sports really excited him. It’s amazing to see that someone like him has made it to space. I’m extremely proud.”

Shubhanshu Shukla
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla. Photo courtesy: x.com/SpaceX

Another teacher, Aparna, told the agency, “He was an all-rounder in primary school – very shy, yet he participated in everything. He visited the school last year after being selected for the Axiom mission. We even discussed strategies to improve teaching. I’m overwhelmed to see him reach the stars.”