Rakesh Sharma Biography, Saare Jahan Se Achcha

Rakesh Sharma Biography, Saare Jahan Se Achcha

Biography – Friends, in today’s article we will talk about the first Indian astronaut Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma. He who retired as Wing Commander in the Indian Air Force, is the 138th astronaut in the world. He spent 8 days in space. During this mission, He also did photography of many parts of India. Apart from this, He also practiced yoga in space. Rakesh Sharma’s space journey is a matter of pride for every Indian.

Rakesh Sharma Biography

Astronaut Rakesh Sharma was born on 13 January 1949 in a Gaur Brahmin family in the city of Patiala, Punjab. His father’s name was Devendra Sharma. His mother’s name was Tripta Sharma. After the birth of him, his parents moved to live in Hyderabad city.

Rakesh Sharma Education

He has completed his schooling from St George’s Grammar School, Hyderabad. After this He graduated from Osmania University, Hyderabad.

Rakesh Sharma Career

In the year 1966, He went to the National Security Academy (NDA). After completing the training of the National Security Academy, He got appointment as a pilot in the Indian Air Force in 1970. A year later, during the Indo-Pak war in 1971, Rakesh Sharma proved his worth by successfully flying a MiG aircraft. Due to his merit, He rose to the rank of Squadron Leader in the Indian Air Force in the year 1984.

Rakesh Sharma’s space journey

At that time India’s Space Science Organization ‘ISRO’ and Soviet Union’s ‘Intercosmos’ were working together on a joint mission. Under this mission, three people have to go to space. Out of these three people, 2 passengers will be from the Soviet Union while one from India. On 20 September 1982, he and another Indian Ravish Malhotra got chance for this. That is, one of Rakesh Sharma and Ravish Malhotra had to go to space from India’s side. He and Ravish Malhotra were sent to the space station Bankanur in Kazakhstan, Soviet Union, to take necessary training under the mission. Seeing the ability of He during training here, he was selected to go to space.

8 days spent in space

On 2 April 1984, Rakesh Sharma flew into space with two Soviet cosmonauts, Commander YV Malyshev and Flight Engineer GM Strokloff. The spacecraft through which He flew was named Spacecraft Soyuz T-11. After taking off, the three cosmonauts reached the orbital station Solyuz-7, established by the Soviet Union. In this way, India became the 14th country to send humans to space. He spent 7 days 21 hours and 40 minutes in space. During this, he also did many researches.

All where good India is ours

When Rakesh Sharma was in space, the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, along with the officials of the Soviet Union, talked to the astronauts. During this conversation, Indira Gandhi asked him, ‘How does India look from space?’ On this He had said that, ‘Saare Jahan Se Achcha Hindostan Hamara’. This talk of him became the headlines of the newspapers the next day.

Ashoka Chakra

Rakesh Sharma got a warm welcome in India after his return from space travel. The Government of India honored He with ‘Ashok Chakra’ for his bravery, while the Soviet Union also honored him with the honor of ‘Hero of Soviet Union’.

retired in 1987

Rakesh Sharma retired from the Indian Air Force as Wing Commander in the year 1987. After retiring, He also worked as a test pilot in Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for some time. Apart from this, in the year 2006, He got nomination on the board of ISRO.

Rakesh Sharma Wife

He married Madhu Sharma, daughter of Colonel PN Sharma. Both husband and wife had knowledge of Russian language. He and Madhu Sharma also had two children. Rakesh Sharma’s son’s name is Kapil, while Rakesh Sharma’s daughter’s name is Kritika. Kapil is a director in the film world while the daughter is in the art division in the media.

Where is Rakesh Sharma now?

According to news18, these days Rakesh Sharma lives in the beautiful hill town of Coonoor in Tamil Nadu. He is also the non-executive chairman of Cadila Labs, a Bangalore-based company.