Rakesh Sharma: India’s First Astronaut Who Made History
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma made history when he became the first Indian to travel to space. On 3rd April 1984, he spent seven days, 21 hours and 40 minutes aboard the Soviet Salyut 7 space station as part of a mission between India’s ISRO and the Soviet Union’s Interkosmos space program. During a TV conference with then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi she asked, “How does India look from space?” Sharma famously replied, "Sare Jahan Se Accha" – meaning "Better than the rest of the world."
Early Life and Education
Rakesh Sharma was born on 13th January 1949 in Patiala, Punjab. His father was Devendranath Sharma and his mother was Tripata Sharma. He is married to Madhu Sharma and they have two children, Kapil and Krittika. Rakesh also lost his daughter, Mansi at the age of six.
For his education, he attended St. Ann’s High School in Secunderabad, St. George’s Grammar School in Hyderabad, and Nizam College, Hyderabad. He later attended the National Defence Academy in Khadakvasla, Pune.
Career in the Indian Air Force
Rakesh Sharma joined the Indian Air Force (IAF) in 1970 as a pilot. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a squadron leader by 1984. During the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War he flew 21 combat missions on the MiG-21. He later became a test pilot and in 1982, was chosen for the Soviet-Indian space program.
Space Mission: Soyuz T-11
On 3rd April 1984, Rakesh Sharma launched aboard the Soyuz T-11 spacecraft along with Soviet cosmonauts Gennady Strekalov and Yury Malyshev from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. They docked with the Salyut 7 space station where they spent seven days conducting various scientific experiments. Sharma’s tasks included studying bio-medicine and remote sensing.
During a historic TV interview when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi asked how India looked from space Sharma famously replied, "Sare Jahan Se Accha" (Better than the rest of the world). India’s space program then became the 14th nation to send a human into space with Rakesh Sharma being the 128th person in space.
Life After Space: Retirement and Career
After his space mission, Rakesh Sharma retired from the Air Force in 1987 with the rank of Wing Commander. He then joined Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) as Chief Test Pilot. In 1992, he narrowly escaped death when his MiG-21 malfunctioned, but thanks to his swift reaction, he survived the crash.
He retired from flying in 2001 and settled in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu, where he now enjoys golf, gardening, yoga, reading, and traveling.
Awards and Recognition
Rakesh Sharma received several prestigious awards, including the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peacetime gallantry award, and the Hero of the Soviet Union the highest honor from the Soviet Union. He also received the Paschimi Star, Sainya Seva Medal, Sangram Medal, Videsh Seva Service Medal and the 25th Anniversary of Independence Medal.
Rakesh Sharma’s space journey continues to inspire millions in India and around the world. He remains a trailblazer in the history of space exploration and a symbol of India’s achievements in the field of science and technology.
