Rakesh Sharma: Meet another IAF pilot who pierced skies in a Russian spacecraft 40 years before Shubhanshu Shukla
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Well before IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla etched a new chapter in India's human space programme, Astronaut Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma made the nation proud when he spent seven days, 21 hours, and 40 minutes in space on board the Salyut 7 space station Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian to travel to space. This achievement came with a joint Indian Space Research Organisation ( ISRO ) and the Soviet Interkosmos space programme.Rakesh Sharma joined the National Defence Academy (NDA) in July 1966 as an air force freshman, and in 1970 he got commissioned as a pilot in the Indian Air Force (IAF) and became a fighter pilot. He joined Hindustan Aeronautics in 1987 as its chief test pilot. In 2001, he moved out to take on the chairman of the board of Automated Workflow (a Bengaluru-based process-management company).It was in 1982 that Rakesh Sharma got chosen to become part of a joint Soviet-Indian spaceflight as a cosmonaut. On 3 April 1984, he and two cosmonauts from the Soviet Union (flight engineer Gennady Strekalov and commander Yury Malyshev) flew on board Soyuz T-11 to the space station Salyut 7. At the space station, Rakesh Sharma conducted various exercises and experiments, such as yoga's effects on the human body in weightlessness and taking photographs of India from outer space.For Group Captain Shukla, this will be an opportunity to emulate fellow Indian Air Force Officer Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, who flew aboard Soyuz T-11 on 3 April 1984 as part of the Soviet Interkosmos programme. Sharma spent seven days in space on board the Salyut 7 space station.At the space station, Rakesh Sharma conducted experiments, such as understanding yoga's effects on the human body in weightlessness and taking photographs of India from outer space. When PM Indira Gandhi asked him how India looked from space, he replied, "Saare Jahan Se Achha", a phrase that has become an iconic milestone in India's Space Odyssey.Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla scripted history by embarking on a space odyssey along with three others to the International Space Station as part of a commercial mission by Axiom Space on Wednesday.The much-delayed Axiom-4 mission blasted off from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida at 12:01 pm IST towards the ISS amid cheers from watch parties organised across the world, including at Shukla's City Montessori School in Lucknow where his parents witnessed the historic launch.The Lucknow-born Shukla, former NASA astronaut Mission Commander Peggy Whitson, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and Tibor Kapu of Hungary are part of the Axiom-4 mission that marks the return to space for the three nations.Shukla became the first astronaut to travel to the International Space Station, a journey that comes 41 years after Rakesh Sharma's eight days in orbit as part of the then Soviet Union's Salyut-7 space station in 1984."Greetings from India.. have a fun time guys," Sharma said in a video message.The targeted docking time is approximately 4.30 pm IST on Thursday, June 26, NASA said in a statement.
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Time of India
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Faculty evaluations should include unbiased qualitative assessments of scholarly contributions, and ethical research practices embedded at every stage of the academic career, from doctoral training to tenure in faculty assessment should include consideration of research relevance, methodological innovation, and impact on policy and society. Focus must be on mandatory ethics training, strict anti-plagiarism mechanisms, fostering indigenous and regional scholarship, and encouraging research in regional languages focused on local contexts and indigenous country must invest in its own publishing ecosystem, including editorial training, peer-review reform, funding for journal sustainability, and collaborations with global publishing networks. Developing rigorous peer review standards can enable credible academic contributions towards the development of indigenous knowledge. These initiatives will help Indian academia reclaim the university as a place of critical thought, ethical engagement, and meaningful and inclusive knowledge MR and Viji B are assistant professors, Department of Economics, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), article was first published under Creative Commons by The views expressed above are the author's own. They do not necessarily reflect the views of DH.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
August 2 Solar Eclipse 2025: Is the century's longest Surya Grahan today? All you need to know
A solar eclipse, also known in India as Surya Grahan, is a rare and spectacular astronomical event. It occurs when the Moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun, casting a shadow over certain areas of the Earth. This shadow blocks the sunlight either completely (total solar eclipse) or partially (partial eclipse), depending on how closely the Sun, Moon, and Earth align. Solar eclipses don't happen often because the Moon's orbit is tilted in comparison to the Earth's path around the Sun. These alignments, known as eclipse seasons, occur twice a year. During this period, it may suddenly become dark for a few minutes even during the day. Religious Significance of Surya Grahan in India In Indian culture, a Surya Grahan is more than just a scientific occurrence—it holds spiritual and religious importance. Many people consider it an inauspicious time. Common traditions include: Avoid food and drink during the eclipse period. Expecting pregnant women to stay indoors and take extra precautions. Taking a bath after the eclipse ends is part of spiritual cleansing. Temples remain closed throughout the eclipse period. Will There Be a Solar Eclipse on August 2, 2025? No, there will be no solar or lunar eclipse on 2 August 2025. This means there is no Surya Grahan on this date, despite some confusion spreading online. So, there's no need to observe any religious rituals or precautions. However, eclipse watchers and sky enthusiasts can look forward to a major solar eclipse on 2 August 2027, which is predicted to be the longest total solar eclipse of the 21st century. It will last nearly 6 minutes, completely blocking sunlight in specific parts of the world. When is the Next Solar Eclipse in 2025? The second solar eclipse of 2025 will take place on the night of 21 September 2025. Here are the key date and time details: Start Time: 11:00 PM (Indian Standard Time) End Time: 3:23 AM on 22 September This eclipse will be visible in countries like New Zealand, Fiji, Antarctica, and certain areas in Australia. Unfortunately, the solar eclipse will not be visible in India, so the Sutak period—a time of religious observance before an eclipse—will not apply. This will be a partial solar eclipse and coincides with Ashwin Amavasya, a no-moon day according to the Hindu lunar calendar. Where Will the August 2, 2027 Total Solar Eclipse Be Visible? The solar eclipse on 2 August 2027 will be fully visible (total eclipse) across parts of North Africa, the Middle East, and Southern Europe. According to NASA and National Eclipse, countries that fall under the path of totality include: Somalia Saudi Arabia Gibraltar Spain Algeria Morocco Tunisia Sudan Libya Egypt Yemen These areas will experience a complete blackout of the Sun, making it a breathtaking moment for anyone in the region. Upcoming Solar Eclipses After 2025 Here's a quick glance at the upcoming solar eclipses to look out for after 2025: 21 September 2025: Partial eclipse visible in Australia, Antarctica, and parts of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. 17 February 2026: Annular solar eclipse visible in Antarctica; partial eclipse viewable from multiple continents and oceans. 12 August 2026: Total solar eclipse visible in Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Russia, and parts of Portugal. 2 August 2027: A Highly anticipated total solar eclipse will be visible across North Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Europe. To summarise, there is no solar eclipse or Surya Grahan on 2 August 2025. However, a partial solar eclipse will occur in September 2025, though not visible in India. The most exciting event is the 2 August 2027 solar eclipse, which is set to be the longest Surya Grahan of the century Keep following for updates on the Solar Eclipse 2025 date and time, and plan ahead if you wish to travel and witness this remarkable event in person! To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending.
