Delhi CM Rekha Gupta and Union Minister Jitendra Singh welcomed Shubhanshu Shukla. (Social media)
National News: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force, who spent 18 days in space during NASA’s Axiom-4 mission, returned to India on Sunday night. At Delhi airport, he was greeted with chants of “Bharat Mata ki Jai,” the sound of drums, and the cheers of thousands of people.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Union Minister Jitendra Singh, ISRO scientists, students, and Shukla’s family were present to welcome him. His wife, Kamna Shukla, along with their son, also took part in the celebrations.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh described it as a proud milestone for India, noting that the nation has moved a step closer to achieving its dream of human spaceflight under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also extended congratulations to backup astronaut Prashant Balakrishnan Nair, who arrived back with Shukla.
Shubhanshu Shukla is likely to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the coming days. Meanwhile, his alma mater, City Montessori School (CMS) in Lucknow, has announced a grand parade on 25th August to celebrate his achievement, calling on residents to gather along the streets and wave flags in his honor. The Uttar Pradesh Assembly also congratulated him for making the state and country proud.
#WATCH | Delhi: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla arrives back in India. He is welcomed by Union MoS for Science & Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh and Delhi CM Rekha Gupta, in the presence of his wife, Kamna Shukla, and their son. Visuals from inside the airport.
— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2025
He was the pilot… pic.twitter.com/EwWYT3EnWw
The Axiom-4 mission was launched from Florida on June 25 and successfully docked with the International Space Station the following day, on June 26. Shukla, along with Peggy Whitson (USA), Slawosz Uznanski (Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary), carried out over 60 experiments before returning to Earth on July 15.
Before returning home, Shukla shared a heartfelt note on Instagram, saying he was leaving America with mixed emotions. He thanked people for their support and expressed excitement to reunite with his family and fellow Indians. He also recalled drawing inspiration from the Bollywood song “Yun Hi Chala Chal Rahi” before his mission.
#WATCH | Delhi: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla arrives back in India. He is welcomed by Union MoS for Science & Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh and Delhi CM Rekha Gupta.
— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2025
He was the pilot of NASA's Axiom-4 Space Mission, which took off from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida,… pic.twitter.com/FTpP1NaY0O
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