Lucknow (UP), Aug 24 (PTI) Preparations are underway to give a grand welcome to local boy Shubhanshu Shukla, who will arrive here on Monday after his historic visit to the International Space Station (ISS).
His family members are the most excited for the occasion. “We are obviously delighted that my son is coming to his hometown, though I am still not sure if he will have time to visit his Triveni Nagar home. I hope he does, if events and security protocols allow,” the astronaut’s father, Shambhu, told PTI.
Most of Shubhanshu’s extended family members have also arrived to meet their relative, who is now a celebrity astronaut.
Although Shubhanshu arrived in India from the US on August 17, he is visiting Lucknow now after participating in multiple outreach events, including meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 18.
Shambhu shared that most of Shubhanshu’s favourite dishes would be prepared, but expressed some concern for the astronaut’s mother’s health. “She is a bit indisposed,” he mentioned, confirming that Shubhanshu’s wife, Kamna, and son, Kiash, would also be accompanying him.
Shubhanshu is expected to be in Lucknow for three days, although his family indicated that his exact itinerary has not been officially released. The City Montessori School (CMS), Lucknow, his alma mater, has organised a “grand victory parade” to celebrate his achievement.
The celebrations will kick off with a grand welcome by CMS students at the Lucknow airport at 8.45 am. Following this, Shubhanshu will participate in a car parade starting from the airport at 9.00 am, which will proceed through the Gomti Nagar Vistar Campus to G-20 Chowk.
School spokesperson Rishi Khanna said that over 63,000 CMS students are ready to welcome their senior. “A special march will be held to salute Shukla before a grand felicitation ceremony at the CMS Gomti Nagar Extension Campus Auditorium at 10.00 am,” he said.
A press conference featuring Shubhanshu is scheduled to be held at the same venue at 12 pm, said Khanna. Meanwhile, posters welcoming him are being put up across the state capital.
Lucknow Mayor Sushma Kharkwal told PTI that a park in the state capital will be named after Shubhanshu Shukla.
“Lucknow will welcome Shubhanshu Shukla with open arms. This is his first visit to his hometown after his historic space triumph, and the city, like the rest of the country, is joyous. We will extend a red carpet welcome to him,” Kharkwal stated.
Kharkwal, who, along with senior leaders, plans to be at the airport to receive Shubhanshu on Monday, said: “All the LEDs managed by us in the city will display him. The road to Shubhanshu’s house has been relaid. I believe our local boy’s phenomenal achievement has brought our country such fame that we will collectively show our admiration on Monday,” she said.
The Lucknow unit of the BJP has planned a warm welcome for Shubhanshu. At a meeting, city president Anand Shukla stated that party workers and public representatives would shower him with flowers. BJP Media in-charge Praveen Garg mentioned that many BJP workers will be present alongside public representatives to greet Shubhanshu with the tricolour at seven locations, including Airport Terminal 3, Laxman Murti Chauraha, Ramabai police outpost, Sultanpur turn at Janta Dhaba, in front of Lulu Mall, outside DPS School, and near the Janeshwar Mishra Bridge at G20 Mode.
According to an official statement, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will felicitate Shukla on Monday. The Uttar Pradesh government has organised a grand ceremony under the Department of Science and Technology to honour Shukla. Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, along with several other prominent leaders, will also be present at the event.
Describing Shukla as a symbol of courage and dedication, Yogi said, “Your achievement is a proud symbol of courage, dedication, and commitment to science. Today, every Indian, especially the people of Uttar Pradesh, feels honoured.” The chief minister added that raising India’s flag in space is a significant source of pride for every citizen and that Shubhanshu’s success demonstrates how Uttar Pradesh’s youth are excelling globally in science and technology. “Honouring Shubhanshu will inspire future generations to dream big and turn those dreams into reality,” he said.
The Uttar Pradesh Assembly in the previous session congratulated Shukla for his historic journey to the International Space Station.
Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) state general secretary Ankur Saxena has requested Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to rename the Indira Gandhi Planetarium and the Regional Science City in Lucknow in honour of IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla.
Group Captain Shukla was part of the Axiom-4 mission, which lifted off from Florida on June 25. He became the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS and the second Indian to journey into space after Rakesh Sharma. During his 18-day mission, he conducted over 60 experiments and participated in 20 outreach sessions. PTI MAN CDN ABN ABN MPL MPL
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