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The successful launch of the Axiom-4 mission has ignited a wave of pride across India, with former cricketer Yuvraj Singh capturing the national sentiment in a heartfelt message. “As Group Captain Shukla lifted off into space, he carried with him not just the hopes of a nation, but the strength of every Indian who dares to dream big. This is a moment we’ll remember for generations,” he wrote.The Axiom-4 mission marks a monumental return to human spaceflight for India, coming 41 years after Rakesh Sharma’s iconic voyage. Blasting off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on Wednesday, the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carried Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla along with astronauts from Hungary, Poland, and the United States.Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his congratulations, noting that Shukla carries the dreams of 1.4 billion Indians. “We welcome the successful launch of the Space Mission carrying astronauts from India, Hungary, Poland and the US. The Indian Astronaut, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is on the way to become the first Indian to go to International Space Station. He carries with him the wishes, hopes and aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians. Wish him and other astronauts all the success!” He posted on X.The astronauts are set to spend 14 days aboard the International Space Station, conducting over 60 scientific experiments. From his spacecraft, named Grace, Shukla addressed the nation with emotion: “Namaskar, my dear countrymen. We have reached space after 41 years. It was a great ride.”Orbiting Earth at 7.5 km per second, Shukla proudly wore the Indian tricolour on his suit, symbolising the collective spirit of the nation. He expressed hope that his mission would spark curiosity and inspire a new generation of Indians to explore space.
“This isn’t just my journey — it’s India’s journey into the future of human spaceflight,” he said.With his words echoing across the nation, Shukla’s mission has already begun to redefine India’s place in space exploration.
