Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla returned to his hometown, Lucknow, on Monday to a rousing welcome after becoming the first Indian to visit the International Space Station.
People welcomed the 39-year-old astronaut, who goes by the nickname ‘Shux’, with waving Indian flags, showering flower petals, and raising slogans.
UP Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak was present at the airport to welcome him. He extended his congratulations to the brave group captain of the Indian Air Force, an astronaut, and the pride of the country.
Thousands of City Montessori School (CMS) students and citizens of Lucknow joined the welcome procession of astronaut Shukla, which started from the Lucknow Airport to CMS, Gomti Nagar Extension Campus.
The ceremony started from the airport, where the students, led by CMS manager Prof Geeta Gandhi Kingdon, gave a band performance and garlanded their proud alumnus. The procession of Group Captain Shukla, on an open vehicle, passed through the streets of the city, followed by thousands raising slogans of ‘Jai Hind and Jai Jagat’.
The scene of the welcome ceremony at the G-20 crossing became very exciting when Shubhanshu politely waved his hand in greeting amidst the applause of thousands of jubilant people.
Amidst the glimpses of a state ceremony, thousands of CMS students, eminent citizens of Lucknow, and other distinguished guests joined the grand procession, which ended at the CMS Gomti Nagar Extension branch.
During the felicitation ceremony at the school, 3,000 children welcomed Shukla by taking out a parade, and he was seen accepting children’s greetings. Group Captain Shukla also participated in a plantation ceremony outside the school.
During the ceremony organised at the CMS auditorium, Prof Geeta Kingdon gave her welcome address. She said Shubhanshu’s achievement is not only of the school but of every Indian. ”He has truly realized the spirit of the school’s motto, ‘Jai Jagat’. We are immensely proud of him, and we wish for an unprecedented success for all his space programmes, including his Gaganyaan mission,” she noted.
The schoolchildren gave a colourful presentation on patriotic songs. During this, a video message from Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, who reached the moon as the first Indian, was also showcased.
During the programme, Shubhanshu’s father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla; mother, Asha Shukla; and wife, Kamna, were also welcomed on the stage. Shubhanshu’s mother was weighed in fruits as a mark of a respectful gesture.
School’s founder-director Dr Bharti Gandhi, in a light-hearted moment, asked Shubhanshu’s wife, Kamna, “How did you choose Shubhanshu?” Amid the excited crowd, Shubhanshu said, “My wife is quite a visionary; she knows what is going to happen and when.”
Dr Gandhi blessed Shubhanshu, saying that he is the ‘pride of the nation’ and his achievement is a source of inspiration for the coming generations.
Earlier, Deputy CM Pathak said that today was a very special and important day for Uttar Pradesh. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who hoisted the tricolor at the International Space Center as the mission pilot of Axiom Mission 4, is always a source of inspiration for today’s young generation and the coming generations of the country.
UP BJP President Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary said, ”The way Shubhanshu Shukla has increased the honour and respect of our country, he is a symbol of India’s strength in space.”