Group Captain Shukla’s achievement an inspiration for youth: Om Birla

August 18, 2025

New Delhi: Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla on Monday highlighted the importance of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s achievements in completing a mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and the critical role of the space program for the ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047.

“On this occasion, the (lower) house welcomes Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to India. His space mission and successful return are not merely about the success of the mission, but a matter of pride and inspiration for Indian citizens. Shukla’s achievement is an inspiration for the youth,” Birla said while addressing the Lok Sabha.

Lok Sabha on Monday briefly took up discussion on India’s First Astronaut Aboard the International Space Station – Critical Role of Space programme for ‘Viksit Bharat By 2047’.Speaker Om Birla congratulated Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla for his achievements.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh, spoke amid slogan shouting by opposition members over their demand for discussion on Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list in Bihar.

He hit out at the Opposition parties on Monday, calling it “surprising” that the opposition cannot even praise the country’s achievements in space

“The opposition has failed to congratulate the space experts and scientists for our space achievements. Your anger can be with the government. Your anger can be with the BJP and the NDA. But it is surprising that you can be angry with an astronaut. And that astronaut who, apart from being an astronaut, is also a disciplined soldier of the Indian Air Force. He does not belong to any political party,” Jitendra Singh said in Lok Sabha amid sloganeering by the opposition MPs.

Earlier in the day, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor praised Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s recent mission to the International Space Station (ISS), highlighting its importance for India’s human spaceflight ambitions.

“Since the Opposition is not participating in the special discussion, let me say how proud all Indians are of the recent mission of Commander Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station (ISS). It served as a stepping stone to our nation’s own human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan,” Tharoor said.

Meanwhile, Shukla’s hometown Lucknow is gearing up to bestow honour on the astronaut for a successful mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

Also read;