National Defense Academy praises Gaganyaan astronauts announcement by PM | India News – Business Standard
Gaganyaan mission: PM Modi with four astronauts (Photo: PTI)
Hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the names of four Indian Air Force pilots who will be part of India’s first human space flight programme, Gaganyaan, the National Defense Academy (NDA) said this would be yet another milestone that the Indian Air Force cadets would exceed. NDA in conquering uncharted territory after Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian to reach space.
“This unique achievement in pursuit of our nation’s first manned mission is yet another milestone crossed by the cadets of the National Defense Academy in conquering uncharted territory and bringing laurels to our nation, as was done by a other distinguished NDA alumni, Squadron Leader (later Wing Commander) Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian in space, way back in 1984,” the NDA said in a statement.
The NDA said the performance of the four stalwarts would motivate those attending the academy.
“The pathbreaking achievement of these four stalwarts is a true testament to the excellent leadership skills and service training imparted at NDA and motivates us at the National Defense Academy, the cradle of leadership of the Indian Armed Forces, to remain steadfast for the cause of our great nation and make it ‘Saare Jahaan se Accha’ in every sense!” the Academy added.
The NDA said it is a matter of “tremendous pride” that the four astronauts selected to be part of the historic Gaganyaan mission have all passed out from “the holy portals”.
The four Indian Air Force pilots chosen are Group Captain Prashanth Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap and Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla.
The four astronauts were trained at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Russia. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a visit to Kerala, reviewed the progress of the Gaganyaan mission and conferred ‘astronaut wings’ to the astronaut aspirants at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Center.
The Gaganyaan mission is India’s first human space flight program for which extensive preparations are underway at various ISRO centres. “India’s success in the space sector is sowing the seeds of scientific temperament among the country’s young generation,” Prime Minister Modi said in his speech at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Center.
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First print: February 28, 2024 | 7:25 am IST