Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla cracked NDA on his sister's wedding day

India Today

3 days ago

The path to becoming India's next space icon, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, is marked by a story of quiet resolve and a family secret that unfolded at a critical moment—his elder sister's wedding.In 2001, as Shuchi, Shubhanshu's sister, was about to get married, the household was abuzz with celebrations and preparations. On the night of Shuchi's farewell, Shubhanshu, then a teenager, mysteriously disappeared for several hours.advertisementThe family, especially his father, was upset and anxious, believing him to be irresponsible for missing such an important event. At around 11:00 pm, Shubhanshu finally arrived at the venue, exhausted, riding his bicycle. He threw down the bicycle and, catching his breath, simply said to his family, 'Now tell me what to do.'
He had left the house in his wedding attire and returned looking visibly tired, but immediately rejoined the wedding preparations without explaining his absence.At the time, none of his family members knew where he had gone or why he had disappeared. Shubhanshu kept his secret close, revealing nothing about the events of that night. It was only after he cleared the National Defence Academy (NDA) examination that he finally shared the truth: on the day of his sister's farewell, Shubhanshu had secretly gone to take the NDA exam.advertisementShubhanshu's elder sister, Nidhi Mishra, recounted how he had even used a friend's money to fill out the NDA application form, so determined was he to join the Indian Air Force. His family had no idea he had applied, let alone sat for the exam. The revelation stunned everyone, especially his father, who had scolded him for being absent from the family event.This episode highlights Shubhanshu's single-minded focus and dedication to his dream. Inspired by the Kargil War, he had set his sights on serving the nation, and nothing—not even a family wedding—would deter him from taking the first step toward his ambition.
Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla ahead of his space launch. (Photo: Axiom)
As he prepares to make history as the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station, this story of his secret NDA journey shows his unwavering determination and the support of a family that, though initially unaware, now stands proudly by his side.Shubhanshu's journey from a quiet, determined boy in Lucknow to a celebrated astronaut will inspire countless young Indians, proving that dreams pursued with passion and perseverance can indeed reach for the stars.Must Watch