This IAF pilot is about to make history as India's first astronaut on the ISS
This IAF pilot is about to make history as India's first astronaut on the ISS
Chethan Kumar
TNN
Apr 24, 2025, 16:04 IST
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set to become the first Indian to fly to the International Space Station as part of the Axiom-4 mission. His SpaceX flight marks a major step forward for India's human spaceflight ambitions
It is now only a matter of weeks before Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla makes history as the first Indian to reach the International Space Station ( ISS ) — and only the second Indian to venture into space after Wing Commander (retd) Rakesh Sharma's 1984 mission aboard the Soviet Soyuz T-11.
Shukla — a decorated Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot and one of the four astronaut-designates under India's Gaganyaan programme — is set to lift off aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, a reusable space capsule designed for human spaceflight.
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Mukesh Ambani offers ₹151 cr 'Guru Dakshina' to honour ICT mentor
Ambani reminisced how the first lecture he attended at UDCT by Professor Sharma motivated him and how Sharma later played the role of quiet architect of India's economic reforms Press Trust of India New Delhi Reliance Industries Ltd chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani announced an unconditional grant of Rs 151 crore to his alma mater the Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai. Ambani had graduated from ICT in the 1970s. He spent over three hours on Friday at ICT which back then was called the University Department of Chemical Technology (UDCT) at a function to publish Professor MM Sharma's biography 'Divine Scientist'. Ambani reminisced how the first lecture he attended at UDCT by Professor Sharma motivated him and how Sharma later played the role of quiet architect of India's economic reforms. Sharma impressed upon the policymakers that the only way for India to grow was to unshackle Indian industry from license-permit-raj, which would allow Indian players to build scale, reduce dependence on imports and compete globally. "Like my father Dhirubhai Ambani, he had a burning desire to change Indian industry from scarcity to global leadership," said Ambani, adding that "these two bold visionaries believed that science and technology, in alliance with private entrepreneurship, would open the floodgates of prosperity". Crediting the rise of the Indian chemical industry to Sharma's efforts, Ambani, in his speech, referred to him as 'a Rashtra Guru - a Guru of Bharat'. While speaking of 'Guru Dakshina', Ambani announced the unconditional grant of Rs 151 crore to ICT according to the instructions of Sharma. "When he tells us something, we just listen. We don't think. He told me Mukesh you have to do something big for ICT, and I am very pleased to announce that for Prof Sharma," Ambani said while referring to the grant.
NDTV
4 hours ago
- NDTV
"May Not Look, Sound Like Us": Axiom-4 Mission Chief On Extraterrestrial Life
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Mukesh Ambani Donates Rs 151 Crore To Alma Mater ICT Mumbai As 'Guru Dakshina'
Last Updated: Hailing professor MM Sharma, Ambani reminisced about how the first lecture he attended at UDCT by the former had motivated him Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani on Saturday announced an unconditional grant of Rs 151 crore to his alma mater—Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai—from where he graduated in the 1970s. Ambani spent over three hours at ICT—which was back then called the University Department of Chemical Technology (UDCT)—at a function to publish professor MM Sharma's biography titled 'Divine Scientist'. Ambani, reminiscing about how the first lecture he attended at UDCT by Sharma motivated him, said Sharma later played the role of the quiet architect of India's economic reforms, impressing upon policymakers that the only way for India to grow was to unshackle Indian industry from license-permit-raj which will allow Indian players to build scale, reduce dependence on imports and compete globally. 'Like my father Dhirubhai Ambani, he had a burning desire to change Indian industry from scarcity to global leadership," said the RIL chairman, adding: 'These two bold visionaries believed that science and technology, in alliance with private entrepreneurship, would open the floodgates of prosperity." Crediting the rise of Indian chemical industry to Sharma's efforts, Ambani, in his speech, referred to him as 'a Rashtra Guru ─ a Guru of Bharat'. He then announced the unconditional grant of Rs 151 crore to ICT, according to the instructions of Sharma, terming it 'Guru Dakshina'. 'When he tells us something, we just listen. We don't think. He told me 'Mukesh you have to do something big for ICT, and I am very pleased to announce that for professor Sharma," Ambani said while referring to the grant. Sharma, who joined UDCT as a professor at 27, has dedicated over six decades to teaching and research. His former students, many of whom went on to become pioneers in Indian science, recalled his influence and humility. The event was held at ICT's Pidilite Hall and presided over by senior nuclear scientist Anil Kakodkar. Several eminent scientists, including Raghunath Mashelkar, J B Joshi, Aniruddha Pandit, and G D Yadav, paid tribute to Prof Sharma's legacy in education and science. First Published: June 07, 2025, 10:55 IST
