As IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla made historical past by turning into the primary Indian to enter the Worldwide Area Station (ISS), his schoolteachers in Lucknow had been beaming with delight and fondly remembered the quiet, targeted boy who as soon as walked their college corridors and shared reminiscences of his early years as they prayed for his security and success in house.
Shukla, who launched aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft named ‘Grace’ as a part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), grew to become the second Indian in house after Rakesh Sharma, who flew to house in 1984.
The spacecraft efficiently docked with the ISS’s Concord module at 6:31 a.m. ET (4:00 p.m. IST) in the present day, marking a milestone for India’s house journey.
IANS spoke to a number of of Shukla’s major college lecturers, who might barely include their delight and admiration.
Sunita Pandey, one among Shukla’s lecturers, recalled, “I used to work together with him very often. He was very targeted and disciplined. Whereas going to house could not have been his preliminary dream, I imagine it developed throughout his time on the NDA. He was additionally superb at soccer. I’m proud to see how far he’s come.”
Sweta Saxena, who taught him in his childhood, stated that he was all the time within the high 10 of his class, whereas Science was his favorite topic, which is why he selected Physics, Chemistry, and Maths (PCM) for Class 12.
“He was targeted on each research and sports activities. I actually want him continued success.”
Archana Agarwal, who taught Shubhanshu from Courses 6 to eight, remembered him as an introverted but extremely artistic pupil.
“He was a dreamer and a disciplined little one. Sports activities actually excited him. It’s superb to see that somebody like him has made it to house. I’m extraordinarily proud.”
Aparna, one other instructor, shared: “He was an all-rounder in major college – very shy, but he participated in the whole lot. He visited the college final yr after being chosen for the Axiom mission. We even mentioned methods to enhance educating. I’m overwhelmed to see him attain the celebs.”
Born in Lucknow, Shukla launched into house at 2:31 a.m. EDT (12:00 midday IST) from Launch Advanced 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Area Centre in Florida, aboard the Falcon 9 rocket.
The Ax-4 crew contains Commander Peggy Whitson (USA), Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla (India), and Mission Specialists Sławosz Uznański-Wisniewski (Poland) and Tibor Kapu (Hungary).
India now celebrates not simply the success of an astronaut, however the inspiring story of a small-town boy whose schoolteachers all the time knew he was destined for one thing extraordinary.