Rakesh Sharma, the country’s first astronaut, was born on this day, has also worked in the Indian Air Force.

The first Indian Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma to step into space will turn 76 today. Rakesh Sharma was the 128th person and the first Indian to go to space. He joined the Air Force as a pilot in 1970. In the 1971 war with Pakistan, he flew MiG-21 21 times and at that time he was not even 23 years old. Rakesh Sharma became the best pilot of the Air Force when he was 25 years old. In 1982, Rakesh Sharma was selected for space travel after testing more than two dozen fighter pilots. After which he was sent to Russia for training.
Rakesh Sharma was born on 13 January 1949 in Patiala, Punjab. Sharma was educated at St. George’s Grammar School and Nizam College, Hyderabad. After this he joined the National Defense Academy (NDA) as an Air Force cadet in July 1966. He was commissioned as an Air Force Pilot in the Indian Air Force in 1970. On April 3, 1984, he left for space aboard the Soyuz T-11 spacecraft under the Soviet Intercosmos program. Rakesh Sharma started space travel from Soyuz T-11 on 3 April 1984 under the joint mission of ISRO and the Soviet Union (now Russia). He spent 7 days, 21 hours and 40 minutes in space.
India looks ‘better than everywhere else’
For the first time, the country spoke with its citizen in space through a joint conference with the crew of Soyuz T-11 from space. The then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had asked Rakesh Sharma how India looks from space? He replied in Hindi – Saare Jahan Se Achcha.
Awarded Hero of the Soviet Union Award
After returning from space, Rakesh Sharma again started his life as a jet pilot. He flew fighter planes like Jaguar. Rakesh Sharma has also been awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union Award. He is the only Indian who has received this honour. Along with this, he has also been honored with Ashok Chakra.
Also took part in the independence of Bangladesh
Rakesh Sharma also participated in the Bangladesh war of 1971. During this period, he flew 21 times in MiG 21 for combat missions. After this, in 1982, he was selected as a cosmonaut for the India-Soviet joint spaceflight. On April 3, 1984, he left for space travel. In the same year he was promoted and made squadron leader.

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