From Lucknow to ISS and Back: City Celebrates Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the city's celebrated astronaut, received a grand and heartfelt welcome as he returned to his hometown for the first time since his historic mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Arriving at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport, Shukla was greeted by Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak and Mayor Sushma Kharkwal, along with a throng of cheering school children waving the tricolor.

Despite the morning rain, the city was alive with celebration. The airport road was lined with students, and Lucknow was adorned with digital screens and archways celebrating his achievement. The Municipal Corporation organized a festive welcome, and a special roadshow was held from the G-20 intersection to honor the space pioneer.

The celebrations continued at his alma mater, City Montessori School (CMS), Gomti Nagar Extension, where a parade was held in his honor. Addressing the students, Group Captain Shukla shared his inspiring journey, urging them to "aspire" and dream big. He highlighted India's vision of a moon landing by 2040 and described his own space mission as a "milestone not just for me but for India’s growing space ambitions."

Shukla emphasized the importance of teamwork and self-reliance, explaining how astronauts must be versatile and learn skills across various fields. He also credited his wife, Kamna, for her support.

In a lasting tribute, the road leading to his residence in Triveni Nagar has been renamed "Shubhanshu Shukla Marg". His mission pilot role on Axiom Mission 4 involved seven microgravity experiments and a 20-day stay on the ISS. Shukla shared that from space, "India truly looks beautiful," as seen in the stunning time-lapse video he created from the spacecraft window.

First Indian astronaut Rakesh Sharma and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also congratulated Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, with the Chief Minister calling him a "glorious symbol of courage, dedication, and commitment to science." A civic reception took place to honor him further, cementing his status as a true hometown hero who has brought immense pride to Lucknow.