Axiom-4: Shubhanshu Shukla Becomes First Indian in Space After 40 Years, Speaks in Hindi Onboard Dragon

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, a seasoned Indian Air Force fighter pilot, has made history by becoming the first Indian in space since Rakesh Sharma, marking over four decades since an Indian last ventured beyond Earth's atmosphere. As the Axiom Mission 4 lifted off aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket from NASA's iconic Launch Pad 39-A at Kennedy Space Centre, Shukla delivered a message in Hindi from aboard the Dragon capsule, roughly 10 minutes after launch.

"Namaskar, my fellow Indians! What an incredible ride this has been. After 41 years, we are back in space," said Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla in his first message from orbit. "We're circling the Earth at a speed of 7.5 kilometers per second-it's truly an extraordinary experience."

"With the Tiranga proudly on my shoulder, I feel your presence with me. This mission isn't just a journey to the International Space Station-it's the beginning of India's Human Space Programme. I invite every one of you to be a part of it. Let your hearts swell with pride. Together, let's take this giant leap forward. Jai Hind! Jai Bharat!"

This moment was not just symbolic-it was deeply emotional. As he headed to the launch pad, Shukla chose to listen to the song "Vande Mataram" from Hrithik Roshan's 2024 film Fighter. The patriotic Hindi anthem, celebrating India's strength and unity, resonated with the astronaut's mission and spirit.

NASA Tradition Meets Indian Pride

At NASA, it is a long-standing tradition for astronauts to select music that plays while they are en route to the launchpad. This practice helps astronauts stay calm and mentally focused. Shukla's choice of "Vande Mataram" not only honored his Indian heritage but also emotionally connected him to his roots, even as he prepared for an extraordinary international journey.

The powerful lyrics-"No dream but a celebration - In every vein of India, victory is the habit"-set the tone for this historic mission. The song's remix lyrics by Kumaar, and vocals by Vishal Dadlani, blend modern pride with the original verses by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, reinforcing India's resilience and cultural richness.

Axiom Mission 4: India Joins a Global Space Team

Axiom Mission 4, scheduled for June 25, is a collaborative effort between NASA, Axiom Space, and Elon Musk's SpaceX. The international crew includes:

Dr Peggy Whitson (USA) - Mission Commander

Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland) - Mission Specialist

Tibor Kapu (Hungary) - Mission Specialist

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla (India) - Pilot

Significantly, this launch pad was the same one used by Neil Armstrong during the historic Apollo 11 mission in 1969. In an interview with NDTV, Dr Whitson praised Shukla for his intelligence and precision as a pilot.

Who Is Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla?
Born on October 10, 1985, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Shubhanshu Shukla is one of four astronauts trained under India's Gaganyaan program. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, he joined the Indian Air Force in 2006. With over 2,000 flying hours on aircraft like the Su-30 MKI and MiG-29, Shukla is a Fighter Combat Leader and Test Pilot with vast operational and technical expertise.

As part of his spaceflight preparation, he integrated yoga and mindfulness practices into his daily regimen-demonstrating his commitment to both physical and mental conditioning, crucial for long-duration missions in space.

'Vande Mataram': A Song That Echoes Through Space

The Hindi anthem "Vande Mataram", which accompanied Shukla to the stars, reflects India's enduring spirit and patriotic pride. The lyrics assert that no dream is unreachable, and even as one soars beyond the skies, their roots stay firmly grounded in the motherland.

This song choice not only uplifted Shukla but also stirred emotions across India, uniting citizens in pride as they witnessed one of their own take the tricolor spirit to space.

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's space mission is more than a technological milestone-it's a cultural and emotional triumph for India. From his Hindi message from space, to his symbolic connection with Vande Mataram, his journey reflects India's growing influence in global space exploration and the universal language of courage, pride, and identity.