New Delhi

Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla extended greetings on the 65th anniversary of human spaceflight and encouraged people to explore space.

In a video shared by the Russian Embassy in India, Shukla recalled the historic journey of Yuri Gagarin, who became the first human to travel to space on April 12, 1961. He said this landmark event continues to inspire generations and is celebrated every year as International Cosmonautics Day.

Shukla highlighted the courage shown by Gagarin, noting that at the time of the mission, very little was known about how the human body would react in space. Despite the risks, Gagarin successfully completed the mission, making it a symbol of hope and progress for humanity.

Encouraging young people and space enthusiasts, Shukla urged everyone to remain excited about space exploration and to carry forward the spirit of discovery. He said exploring space brings purpose and inspiration, and called on people to look towards the future with confidence and determination.

Shukla, who trained at Russia’s Star City between 2020 and 2021, has been an important figure in India’s growing space journey. Earlier this year, he was awarded the Ashok Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry award, by President Droupadi Murmu during Republic Day celebrations.

He made history by becoming the first Indian to visit the International Space Station, marking a major milestone for the country’s space programme. His achievements have inspired many aspiring astronauts and strengthened India’s presence in global space exploration.

Shukla ended his message by wishing everyone a happy Cosmonautics Day and called for continued curiosity and passion for space science.