Published By: Sayan Paul

Happy Birthday, Rakesh Sharma: The First Indian In Space - What Is He Doing Now?

On April 3, 1984, Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian citizen to enter space. 

"Upar Se Bharat Kaisa Dikhta Hai Aapko?" - Asked Indira Gandhi. 

"Saare Jahan Se Achchha." - Replied Rakesh Sharma from space. 

I don't know how and where the phrase "Sharma Ji Ka Beta" (if you know, you know) started, but I wouldn't be surprised if it came from Rakesh Sharma - after all, he touched the sky, quite literally. He is the first Indian in space. As you may agree, the first is always special - and hence, whenever India achieves a new height in space exploration today, it reminds us of him. And more than reaching the sky, he made every Indian proud on the global stage and inspired generations to come. As he said, "If you looked at the beauty that was there, it was watching the sunrise and the sunset from space, it was absolutely wonderful."

Born on January 13, 1949, Rakesh Sharma is a former Indian astronaut, who flew aboard Soyuz T-11 on April 3, 1984, as part of the Soviet Interkosmos programme. He spent 7 days, 21 hours, and 40 minutes in space. To date, he remains the only Indian citizen to have achieved the feat (several other astronauts of Indian origin have traveled to space, who were not Indian citizens). 

 

(Credit: Rajdeep Sardesai)

However, while Sharma's astronomy career is well documented, there's not much written about his life after space. So, today, on his 76th birthday, let's learn what he is up to these days. 

What Is Rakesh Sharma Doing Now? 

Well, the 'Space Hero' now prefers to keep a low profile, and is leading a peaceful life away from all the limelight. Since 2001 (following his retirement), he has been settled in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu, with his wife. He spends his time reading, traveling, golfing, gardening, and doing yoga. 

Notably, Sharma continues to contribute to ISRO's various missions. For instance, he has been a part of the agency's National Advisory Council for 'Gaganyaan' - India's first human space flight mission. 

 

(Credit: Junius)

A Look At His Career 

Born in Patiala (Punjab, India) into a Punjabi family, Sharma was a brilliant student in his childhood. He attended St. Ann's High School and St. George's Grammar School and later graduated from Nizam College in Hyderabad. Thereafter, he joined the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Pune to pursue a military career. 

In 1970, he joined the Indian Air Force as a test pilot. In 1984, he was promoted to the rank of squadron leader. On September 20, 1982, He was selected as a cosmonaut in the joint program between the Indian Air Force and the Soviet Interkosmos space program. He trained at Moscow's Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, and finally, on April 3, 1984, he flew aboard the Soviet rocket Soyuz T-11 and became the first Indian to enter space. 

 

(Credit: Indian Air Force)

After retiring as a wing commander, he joined Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in 1987, serving as the chief test pilot in the HAL Nashik Division until 1992. Then he worked as HAL's chief test pilot in Bengaluru till 2001. 

Some Interesting Facts To Know

For his remarkable contribution to space exploration, Sharma was awarded the prestigious "Hero of the Soviet Union" medal in 1982. 

His son, Kapil, is a film director, while his daughter, Krittika, is a media artist. 

A biopic on him, tentatively titled 'Saare Jahaan Se Achcha', has been under pre-production since 2018.