Rakesh Sharma Birthday: 7 Interesting Facts About Cosmic Journey Of India's Only Man In Space

Rakesh Sharma

Even though countries like the United States and Russia have been the nations that forayed the space race during the latter half of the 20th century, India, a developing nation gradually made a name for itself and Rakesh Sharma a boy born on January 13, 1949, in Patiyala, played a vital role in it by becomig the first Indian to go to space.

Joined NDA in 1966

He joined the National Defence Academy as an air force plebe in July 1966 and was commissioned into the Indian Air Force as a pilot in 1970.

First Indian citizen to reach outer space

Rakesh Sharma went on to become the first Indian citizen to reach outer space on April 2, 1984, when he flew abroad the Soviet rocket Soyuz T-11 launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome in the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic.

Created History

He spent 7 days, 22 hours and 40 minutes in space and took India to become the 14th nation to travel to outer space. Sharmas work was mainly in the fields of bio-medicine and remote sensing.

Unique message from space

His famous quote, Saare Jahan Se Achcha Hindustan Hamara, meaning Our India is the best in the world, while gazing at Earth from space, sparked national pride and became a cultural touchstone.

Yoga in space

He conducted yoga postures in zero gravity, demonstrating its potential for astronaut health and well-being.

Taken Indian food to space

Rakesh Sharma had taken Indian food to space with the help of the Defense Food Research Lab situated in Mysore. As per reports, they had packed suji halwa, aloo chole and veg pulao.

Conferred with highest peacetime gallantry award

Rakesh Sharma has been conferred the honour of the Hero of the Soviet Union upon his return from space. He remains to date the only Indian to have been conferred this honour. India also conferred its highest peacetime gallantry award, the Ashoka Chakra.