New Delhi

After the opposition did not participate in the special discussion in Parliament about India’s first astronaut on the International Space Station, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Monday praised Subhanshu Shukla’s achievement and said that all Indians are proud of his recent mission, which will become a powerful symbol of India’s ambitions in human spaceflight.

He also said that Shukla’s “historic flight” has inspired the new generation to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and space studies—fields essential to sustaining India’s long-term space goals.

“Since the opposition is not taking part in the special discussion, I want to say how proud all Indians are of Commander Subhanshu Shukla’s recent International Space Station (ISS) mission. It serves as a stepping stone for our country’s own human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan.”

“Shukla’s mission has provided ISRO with invaluable practical experience and data that cannot be replicated in simulations,” Tharoor said in a post on X. “His firsthand observations on pre-launch procedures, spacecraft systems, and the psychological and physiological effects of microgravity are crucial to making the Gaganyaan mission safer and more refined.”

The Congress leader added that the mission enabled the testing of Indian systems and protocols in an actual space environment. He said that several scientific experiments, including studies on human health and plant growth in space, will provide technical and scientific evidence that will directly help in designing life-support and medical systems for Gaganyaan.

“Shukla’s mission, conducted in partnership with international agencies, has strengthened India’s role in global space diplomacy. It demonstrates India’s willingness and capability to engage in multilateral space efforts and opens doors for future joint research and investment.”

The former Union Minister wrote in his post: “Commander Shukla’s historic flight is a powerful symbol of India’s ambitions in human spaceflight. It has captured the nation’s imagination and inspired the new generation to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and space studies—all essential to sustaining India’s long-term space goals. Well done!”

Earlier, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju had urged opposition parties to participate in the Lok Sabha discussion on Shukla’s successful ISS mission and India’s progress in the space sector.

Rijiju posted on X: “Our hero astronaut, Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla, has returned home after a successful mission to the International Space Station. Parliament will honor him with a special discussion on his historic milestone and on India’s growing space ambitions in our journey toward a developed India.”

He appealed to members to participate with the same spirit as they had shown in the debate on Operation Sindoor.

Rijiju added: “I hope all members will celebrate the achievements of our scientists just as they appreciated the valor of our armed forces in Operation Sindoor.”

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The government has proposed a special discussion in the Lok Sabha on the theme “India’s first astronaut on the International Space Station – The critical role of the space program in achieving a developed India by 2047” to mark Shukla’s space sojourn.