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'Holding them felt like home': Who is astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's wife, Kamna Shukla?
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla met his wife, Kamna Shukla, in their primary school, where they first met and became best friends. Image courtesy: Instagram/@gagan.shux
Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla reunited with his family just a day after returning from an 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), and the heartwarming photos of their embrace have touched hearts across the country.
Shukla, who shared the reunion moments on Instagram. In the images, he's seen hugging his wife and son after more than two months apart. 'Felt like home,' he wrote, capturing the emotion of the moment.
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As the nation celebrates the success of India's latest space hero, attention has also turned to the woman who stood by him through the journey, his wife and quiet support system, Kamna Shukla. So, who is she?
From classmates to soulmates
Kamna Mishra—now Dr Kamna Shukla—is a practising dentist based in Lucknow. Her story with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla began way back in their primary school, City Montessori School (CMS), Aliganj, where they first met and became best friends.
'We've studied together since Class 3. I've known him as Gunjan, the quiet, shy boy, who is now inspiring so many,' Kamna told The Times of India.
That childhood friendship eventually grew into something deeper. The two got married in 2009, and today, they're raising their six-year-old son, Kiash.
Her story with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla began way back in their primary school, City Montessori School (CMS), Aliganj, where they first met and became best friends. Image courtrsy: News18
Over the years, their relationship has weathered long stretches of distance, missed milestones, and personal sacrifices. Kamna shared how challenging it was during the early years of their son's life when Shukla had to be away. Still, she never wavered in her support, admiring his laser-sharp focus, comparing it to that of Arjuna from the Mahabharata.
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Kamna spoke with pride of the transformation of the 'shy young man' Shuks was to the famous astronaut he is today.
'Seeing him interact so confidently and joyfully with students from space filled me with immense pride and happiness. Witnessing his remarkable transformation from a shy young man into a dynamic and charismatic individual capable of inspiring countless young minds is incredibly moving,' she told PTI.
'None of this would have been possible without you'
Kamna has been both the emotional and logistical anchor in Shubhanshu Shukla's incredible journey from fighter pilot to astronaut.
Before lifting off on the historic Axiom-4 mission, Shukla shared a note of gratitude on social media, thanking those who made the journey possible, and gave a special shoutout to his wife.
'As we plan to leave the planet early morning of 25 Jun, I wish to thank everyone who has been involved in this mission for their support and also to all the people back home for their blessings and love,' he wrote on Instagram.
'Special thanks to Kamna, my wonderful partner. Without you, none of this would have been possible, nor would any of it truly matter,' he added.
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Alongside his words, the astronaut also posted a poignant photo, the two of them saying goodbye through opposite sides of a glass wall.
Before lifting off on the historic Axiom-4 mission, Shukla also posted a poignant photo, the two of them saying goodbye through opposite sides of a glass wall.
During his 18 days aboard the International Space Station, Kamna said it was the phone calls that brought her the most joy.
'Receiving his call from the International Space Station right after docking was an unexpected and wonderful surprise. Hearing his voice and knowing he was safe meant the world to me,' she told PTI.
'Our conversations typically revolved around his daily activities, the unique experiments he conducted, and the extraordinary experiences he encountered, which were vastly different from life on Earth. These phone calls became the highlight of my day through 18 days."
Shukla's homecoming plans
The long stretches of separation that come with being an astronaut aren't easy — but Kamna Shukla says she's learned to live with them. Over time, they've only brought her and Shubhanshu closer.
'Being separated is undoubtedly difficult and always brings an element of pain. However, our journey with the Air Force has taught us resilience and adaptability, making these separations easier to manage over time,' she shared.
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Now that Shubhanshu has safely returned from his space mission, the focus is on helping him transition back to life on Earth.
Shubhanshu Shukla has safely returned from his space mission, and the focus is on helping him transition back to life on Earth, says his wife Kamna Shukla. File Image
'Now that Shubhanshu has safely returned, our immediate focus will be on his rehabilitation and ensuring he smoothly readjusts to life on Earth,' Kamna told PTI from Houston. 'For us, simply being reunited after this incredible journey is a celebration in itself.'
After weeks apart, she's preparing to bring back a sense of normalcy to their home, with warmth, routine, and his food.
'I am already preparing some of his favourite dishes, knowing how much he must have missed home-cooked meals during his time in space,' she added.
Back in Lucknow, Shubhanshu has become somewhat of a local hero. Posters of him line the streets near his Triveni Nagar home, and his family has been flooded with messages and visitors. But for Kamna, the real celebration is in the small, quiet things.
'While the nation celebrates his extraordinary accomplishment, our family will cherish quieter, personal moments of togetherness. These moments of joy, sharing familiar stories, laughter, and enjoying simple pleasures are our way of celebrating,' she said.
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With input from agencies
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