Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force recently became the first Indian to set foot on the International Space Station (ISS). Blasting off onboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on June 25 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida as part of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), Shukla also became just the second Indian ever to venture into space, after Rakesh Sharma’s historic mission in 1984.
Prior to Shubhanshu’s flight into space, his mother, Asha Shukla, explained how her heart was full of joy and how she was the first to emphasize the key role played by her daughter-in-law. “He has all the support of our daughter-in-law. It could not have been possible without her… She has played the biggest role here,” Asha explained to the press.
About Dr Kamna Shukla
Dr Kamna Shukla, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh-based dentist, is married to Shubhanshu and has a 6-year-old son. They had their love story in primary school, and Kamna is both his lifetime partner and childhood friend.
Talking to The Times of India, Kamna remembered their childhood days, saying, “We’ve studied together since Class 3. We were initially best friends… I know him as Gunjan, as Shubhanshu— the shy, silent boy in class—who’s now become such a role model for so many.”
Their relationship stood the test of prolonged separations and lost milestones, particularly memories from their son’s early years. Kamna was aware of how much those separations hurt but was also at pains to acknowledge Shubhanshu’s consistent commitment, likening it to Arjuna’s single-mindedness from the Mahabharata.
A Message From Shubhanshu
In a moving instagram post prior to leaving on his historic mission, Shubhanshu appreciated all those who stood by him. He said, “Since we shall be leaving the earth early morning of 25 Jun, I would like to thank all those people who have been part of this mission for their encouragement and also to all the people back home for their blessings and love. A great big thank you to my family and friends who have been my rock in this venture. At times your near and dear ones make sacrifices that you yourself do not even realize, but they do it with their love for you.”
He had special thanks also for his wife, stating, “Special thanks to @kamnashubha for being the amazing partner that you are. Without you, none of this was possible, but more importantly, none of this would matter. No one goes to space alone…we do so on the shoulders of so many more. I feel thankful to each and every one of you. THANK YOU.”