Shubhanshu Shukla Echoes Rakesh Sharma’s Iconic Words as Axiom-4 Mission Nears Return
Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu “Shux” Shukla broadcast a poignant message from the International Space Station (ISS), reviving the iconic phrase first uttered by India’s first astronaut, Rakesh Sharma, in 1984. Speaking from the ISS’s Destiny laboratory, Shukla addressed a global audience, stating, “India still looks Saare Jahan Se Accha from space,” evoking deep national pride with his nod to Sharma’s historic words.
Shukla’s address, delivered during a live broadcast, preceded a farewell ceremony hosted by NASA and Axiom Space for the Axiom-4 crew, who are preparing to conclude their mission of over two weeks in orbit. The crew is slated to undock from the ISS on July 14, 2025, and return to Earth, marking the close of a significant milestone for India’s space program.
The phrase “Saare Jahan Se Accha,” drawn from Muhammad Iqbal’s early-20th-century Urdu poem Tarānah-e-Hind, gained fame when Sharma shared it during a 1984 exchange with then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. As reported, Shukla’s use of the phrase set an inspiring tone for the Axiom-4 mission’s upcoming splashdown.
During their time on the ISS, Shukla and the Axiom-4 crew conducted scientific experiments vital to advancing future space exploration. As they gear up for their return, Shukla’s words highlight the enduring human perspective gained from space, blending India’s pride with the universal awe of viewing Earth from orbit.