Defence Minister Rajnath Singh felicitates Gaganyatris in New Delhi

New Delhi, Aug 24: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday felicitated Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, Group Captain PB Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, and Group Captain Angad Pratap, the four astronauts selected for ISRO’s maiden human spaceflight mission Gaganyaan during a ceremony in the national capital.

Describing them as “gems of the country” and “pioneers of India’s aspirations,” Rajnath Singh said India views space not just as a field of research but as the future of “tomorrow’s economy, security, energy and humanity.” He underlined that the country has already marked its presence from the Moon to Mars and is fully prepared for ambitious missions such as Gaganyaan. The four astronauts, popularly referred to as Gaganyatris, represent India’s foray into human spaceflight and symbolise the nation’s scientific confidence and technological maturity. Their mission is not only a step towards demonstrating India’s ability to send humans into space on its own, but also a symbol of national pride, international collaboration, and the vision of inspiring future generations to pursue science, innovation, and exploration.

Calling the achievement a milestone in Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the Defence Minister said India has shown that “even with limited resources, unlimited willpower can transform the most challenging goals into remarkable accomplishments.” From Chandrayaan to Mangalyaan, he said, India has proven its place among leading space powers.

Singh stressed that space-based technologies from communication satellites to disaster management  are already benefiting every village and field in India. Looking ahead, he said space mining, deep space exploration, and planetary resources will redefine the future of human civilisation.

The Defence Minister also lauded Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla for his successful space mission with Axiom Mission 4, noting his ability to compress two-and-a-half years of training into just two-and-a-half months. “His extraordinary feat is not just a technological achievement, but a message of faith and dedication. It is not just India’s pride, it is proof of the progress of entire humanity,” Singh said.

Commending the role of the Institute of Aerospace Medicine in preparing astronauts physically, mentally, emotionally, and psychologically, Rajnath Singh said Shukla stood as a shining embodiment of the institute’s success. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Chief of the Air Staff, were also present at the event where Group Captain Shukla shared his experiences of travelling to the International Space Station.