Parliament on Monday paid tribute to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the Indian Air Force pilot and astronaut who recently returned from the Ax-4 mission to the International Space Station.
The session, held a day after his homecoming, was marked by national pride and emotional speeches, even as opposition parties boycotted the proceedings.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh led the commemoration, calling Shukla’s achievement “a new chapter in Indian space exploration.” He criticised the opposition’s absence, stating it undermined the valour of a Gaganyaatri who had made history for India.
Despite political tensions, lawmakers across party lines praised Shukla’s role in advancing India’s human spaceflight ambitions and inspiring future generations. His mission, conducted in collaboration with international partners, is seen as a stepping stone toward the Gaganyaan program.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, though absent from the session, voiced support online, saying, “All Indians are proud of Commander Shubhanshu Shukla’s mission to the ISS.”
The tribute also highlighted ISRO’s recent lunar success and reaffirmed India’s commitment to space leadership. As the session closed, the message was clear: scientific achievement remains a unifying force in a divided political landscape.
