Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the second Indian to journey into space and the first to visit the International Space Station (ISS), has returned to India. He landed in Delhi early Sunday morning, marking the end of his historic mission. Shukla was received at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi by his wife, Kamna Shukla, Union Minister Jitendra Singh, and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, along with a crowd waving the national flag.

Shukla's journey to the ISS was part of NASA's Axiom-4 mission, which launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 25th. He spent 18 days aboard the ISS, conducting various scientific experiments. His return to Earth occurred on July 15th, with the capsule splashing down off the coast of California. Following his return, Shukla spent time in Houston, Texas, reacclimating to Earth's gravity and participating in debriefing sessions with officials from NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX.

Shukla shared his emotions in a post on social media platform X, expressing sadness at leaving his friends and colleagues but also excitement about reuniting with his family and the people of India. He quoted his commander, veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson, saying, "The only constant in spaceflight is change". He also posted on Instagram, signing off with a line from the song 'Yun Hi Chala Chal' from the film 'Swades', "Yun hi chala chal rahi - jeevan gaadi hai samay pahiya (Keep at it traveller, life is like a vehicle and time is the wheel)".

Shukla's mission holds significant importance for India's space program, particularly the Gaganyaan mission. His experiences and learnings from the Axiom-4 mission will be invaluable for future Indian astronauts and the development of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (Indian Space Station).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged Shukla's achievement during his Independence Day address, highlighting the nation's pride in its space program and the ongoing preparations for the Gaganyaan mission. He also requested Shukla to document his training, experiences, and learnings from his time on the ISS for future missions.

The Lok Sabha will hold a special discussion on India's space journey and Shukla's mission, focusing on the critical role of the space program for "Viksit Bharat by 2047". This discussion is expected to highlight India's achievements in space and potentially bridge divides in Parliament.

Shukla's family, based in Lucknow, expressed their excitement and anticipation for his return. He is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and later travel to Lucknow to reunite with his family. He is also scheduled to participate in the celebration of the country's second Space Day on August 23, along with the three other astronaut designates for the Gaganyaan mission: Prashanth Nair, Ajith Krishnan, and Angad Pratap.

Shukla's successful mission marks a significant milestone for India, furthering its ambitions in space exploration and inspiring future generations of scientists and astronauts.