Bhangra and tears in Lucknow as city-boy Shubhanshu Shukla lifts off to space

Lucknow: Chants of "Hip Hip Hurray", spontaneous bhangra and quiet tears. It was a morning to remember at the City Montessori School as Lucknow boy Shubhanshu Shukla lifted off into space -- and history -- on board the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Centre (KSC) in Florida on Wednesday.

As the rocket pierced through Florida skies, Group Captain Shukla became only the second Indian in history to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma in 1984, and the first Indian astronaut to travel to the International Space Station (ISS).

"It's a great moment not just for us but for our country. What can we say at this moment, I am struggling for words now. My blessings are always there with my son," his father Shambhu Shukla told PTI.

"I have nothing more to say at this moment. I am delighted," Shubhanshu's mother Asha Shukla said.

"I know he will be successful. Though I am eagerly looking forward for him to return after a successful mission, I also know that even after returning to earth, it will take a while before he actually gets back among us. We are all overwhelmed with pride... Our son has made history," she told PTI.

The proud parents were there with many others at CMS Kanpur Road's World Unity Convention Centre (WUCC) auditorium to witness the launch live.

Among those gathered were his sisters, senior defence personnel, CMS faculty, the city's who's who and wide-eyed students.

There were thunderous applause, cheers and impromptu bhangra as the rocket lifted off. Some students were also heard chanting 'Bharat Mata ki Jai'.

As the Falcon 9 rocket soared into the skies, the family grew emotional watching the live launch, their eyes full.

Asked about the tears, Shubhanshu's mother told PTI, "These are tears of joy. The lift off was an emotional moment for us." Shubhanshu's sister Suchi Shukla told PTI Videos, "My parents started the day with prayers. We also spoke to Shubhanshu in the morning. He sounded confident, calm, and happy that the moment he had prepared for so long had finally arrived. He must have been nervous, but he didn't show it. That's just how he is." "I hope his journey inspires the rise of many more 'Shubhanshus' across the country. It's a moment of immense pride for every Indian," she added.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also congratulated Shubhanshu, calling the mission a "historic achievement".

Taking to X, the chief minister said, "A proud moment for India! Heartiest congratulations to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the Mission Pilot of Axiom 4 Mission, on this historic achievement. Under the visionary leadership of Hon PM Shri @narendramodi Ji, India's participation in this international space mission showcases our unwavering commitment to scientific advancement and global collaboration. Warm wishes for a successful mission ahead. Jai Hind! In the evening, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak met the Shuklas at their home in the state capital, congratulating them on the historic feat.

"It's a day of immense pride for all of us. The whole world is today watching the son of Lucknow, the son of Uttar Pradesh and you (parents of Shubhanshu) have made this day possible," Pathak told Shambhu Shukla, as he felicitated him with a bouquet of flowers.

Pathak and the family members also posed with a life-size cut out of "Shux" for a picture.

Posters congratulating Shubhanshu on his historic space voyage have come up all over the state capital.

His alma mater City Montessori School (CMS) hosted Vyomotsav, an immersive watch-party that transformed the campus into a vibrant "mini space centre", paying tribute to its illustrious alumnus.

CMS also arranged a live Axiom mission broadcast, a replica of the ISS Cupola module, a "Defy Gravity" photo booth, telescope viewings, and a simulated Mission Control Centre.

Born in Lucknow in 1985 and educated from montessori through Class 12 at CMS Aliganj, Shukla went on to graduate from the National Defence Academy and was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 2006.

With over 2,000 hours of flight experience on elite combat aircraft, he was selected in 2019 for India's Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme and was later chosen as the pilot for Ax-4.

Sharing the capsule with NASA senior Dr Peggy Whitson (mission commander) and astronauts from Hungary and Poland, the 39-year-old's 14-day mission as part of a commercial venture by Axiom Space will contribute to microgravity research in areas including human physiology, nutrition, and seed germination in space.

CMS founder-director Bharti Gandhi said, "Many CMS students have brought us laurels, but Shubhanshu's journey to space will forever shine as a beacon of possibility for every Indian child." Added the school president and manager Geeta Gandhi Kingdon, "We are all overjoyed. Though their rocket is yet to reach the space, we are already over the moon.

"From a curious young learner in our classrooms to a pioneering astronaut, Shux's story beautifully encapsulates our school's mission of 'Education for World Unity and Peace'."