Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla received a rousing hero's welcome on August 25, 2025, at his home-town Lucknow, following his return from the International Space Station (ISS) as the first Indian to participate in the prestigious Axiom-4 mission.

Shukla's historic accomplishment marks a significant milestone for India’s space ambitions, demonstrating the nation's growing capabilities and international recognition in human spaceflight and research.

The early morning festivities began at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport, where Shukla was greeted by a jubilant gathering of family members, including his parents Shambhu and Asha Shukla, wife Kamna, and son Kiash, all of whom appeared visibly proud and emotional.

The atmosphere was electrified as crowds, energised by patriotic fervour, waved the Tricolour and chanted “Vande Mataram”, giving voice to the nation’s pride in one of its own achieving such a monumental feat.

Reflecting upon his arrival, Shukla remarked that he had taken nearly 2,000 selfies since landing, humorously invoking the famous local saying “Muskuraiye, Aap Lucknow Mein Hain,” to capture the heartfelt joy of his homecoming.

The celebration was further magnified by the presence of students from Shukla’s alma mater, City Montessori School (CMS), who came dressed in colourful costumes themed around cosmic objects and space missions, highlighting local pride and an educational legacy influencing future generations. Traditional music played a key role in the festivities, with a troupe performing on drums and trumpets, infusing the event with cultural vibrancy and underscoring the sense of community rooted in Lucknow.

Shukla appeared dressed in a distinctive brown Air Force jacket adorned with official insignia, the Indian flag on one sleeve, and an ISRO emblem on the other, symbolising his dual legacy as an Air Force officer and astronaut representing India’s apex space organisation. He engaged warmly with the public, acknowledging their cheers and support, a gesture met with enthusiastic applause from all present.

Later in the day, at a special felicitation ceremony, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath honoured Shukla’s achievement in the presence of ISRO Chairman V Narayanan, deputy chief ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, as well as state BJP chief Bhupendra Chaudhary.

During the ceremony, Adityanath announced the establishment of a new scholarship bearing Shukla’s name, aimed at nurturing space technology aspirants in Uttar Pradesh, an initiative designed to inspire and support future generations of Indian scientists and engineers.

Throughout the day’s events, Shukla expressed optimism about India’s space program, confidently stating, “The day is not far away when people will speak of ISRO over NASA,” signalling a bold vision for the nation's future prominence in the global space field.

His homecoming not only celebrated an individual achievement but also highlighted India's growing stature in space exploration, the sense of collective pride, and ongoing efforts to foster scientific and technological excellence among Indian youth.

Agencies