Space Hero and astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi this evening at the Prime Minister's residence, 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, in New Delhi. This meeting follows Shukla's return to India after his successful mission to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission.

Shukla, the first Indian to set foot on the International Space Station, was greeted with a warm welcome upon his arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi on Sunday. He was received by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Union Minister of Science and Technology Jitendra Singh, and ISRO Chairman V Narayanan, among others. Group Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, the backup astronaut for the Gaganyaan mission, also accompanied him.

Shukla's return has been met with national pride and celebration. Union Minister Jitendra Singh hailed it as "a moment of pride for India" and acknowledged the government's support under PM Modi's leadership. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta expressed her honor in welcoming Shukla, recognizing it as a moment of pride for Delhi and the entire nation.

The meeting with PM Modi will provide an opportunity for Shukla to share his experiences from the ISS, which could be valuable for India's maiden human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan. During his 18 days on board the ISS, Shukla conducted seven India-specific experiments, which have been brought back for review by Indian scientists. The results of these experiments are eagerly awaited and could contribute significantly to India's space research efforts.

Prior to his spaceflight, PM Modi had asked Shukla to document his training and stay at the space station, with the aim of creating a handbook for the Gaganyaan mission. Shukla's insights and observations will be crucial in shaping the future of India's human spaceflight program.

In addition to meeting the Prime Minister, Shukla is also expected to participate in the National Space Day celebrations on August 22-23. He is also expected to visit his hometown Lucknow. The Lok Sabha is scheduled to hold a special discussion on Shukla's mission and the critical role of the space program for "Viksit Bharat by 2047".

PM Modi, during his Independence Day speech, emphasized India's commitment to the space sector, highlighting plans for a Bharatiya Antariksh Station (Indian Space Station) and a mission to land an Indian on the moon by 2040. He also mentioned Shukla's return from the space station, acknowledging his contribution to India's space endeavors.

Shukla's journey to the ISS and his upcoming meeting with PM Modi signify India's growing prominence in the space sector and the nation's commitment to achieving its ambitious space goals.