New Delhi: India’s first astronaut aboard the International Space Station, Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla, has been described as a symbol of “Vishwabandhu” Bharat, with his space experiments benefiting not only the nation but also humanity at large.
Introducing a special discussion on “Critical Role of the Space Programme for Viksit Bharat by 2047” in the Lok Sabha, Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh said Shukla’s experiments in life sciences and plant physiology, carried out using indigenous kits, reflected India’s commitment to global welfare. “This is not just about one astronaut. It is about India’s place in the world and the dreams of every child who aspires to reach the stars,” he said.
Calling the ISS mission a “historic milestone”, the Minister highlighted India’s growing capability in cost-effective space technology, indigenous innovation, and international partnerships. He pointed out that the mission, executed at a fraction of global costs, was made possible by the enabling reforms that opened the space sector to private participation. Over 300 startups are now contributing to India’s $8 billion space economy, he noted.
The experiments conducted by Shukla during his stay on the ISS spanned agriculture, biotechnology, cognitive research, and life sciences, with potential applications in health, disaster management, and urban planning. “This success reflects the talent of our scientists and the enabling environment created, when reforms opened up the space sector to private participation,” Singh said.
The Minister traced India’s journey from the 2018 Independence Day announcement of human spaceflight to present-day collaborations with NASA, SpaceX, and Axiom Space. He outlined the roadmap ahead, including the Vyommitra humanoid mission in 2026, the first astronaut under the Gaganyaan programme in 2027, an Indian space station by 2035, and a Moon landing by 2040. “A few years before 2047, a young Indian will declare from the lunar surface the arrival of a Viksit Bharat,” he said.
Singh concluded by saying the achievements in space are not symbolic victories but steps towards India’s transformation into a developed nation by 2047.
BI Bureau
