‘Namaskar my countrymen… Tiranga tells me I’m with you’: Shubhanshu Shukla from Dragon spacecraft | WATCH

Florida: Indian Air Force Group Captain and astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla created history on Wednesday as he launched into space aboard Axiom Space’s mission to the International Space Station (ISS) from Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, USA. Moments into the flight, Shukla offered a heartfelt “Namaskar” to the nation—marking the return to space after 41 years—and hailed the Indian tiranga on his shoulders as a symbol of collective pride. He described the moment as a “great ride” and called it the beginning of India’s human spaceflight ambitions.

Ten minutes into the mission, Shukla from the Dragon spacecraft said, “Namaskar, my dear countrymen; we have reached space after 41 years. It was a great ride”. The greeting, spoken from orbit, immediately resonated across India, highlighting both the emotional significance and historic weight of the journey.

Reflecting on the Indian flag stitched onto his suit, he remarked, “Tiranga tells me I am with you all”.

Shukla added, “This journey of mine is not a beginning to the International Space Station (ISS) but to India's Human Space Programme. I want all of you to be part of this journey. Your chest, too, should swell with pride. Together, let's initiate India's Human Space Programme. Jai Hind! Jai Bharat!”.

Shukla is accompanied by veteran NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, ESA project astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and Tibor Kapu of Hungary.

The astronauts are due to arrive at the orbiting lab the next morning.

(with inputs from agencies)