Introduction

On April 3, 1984, India made history when Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian to travel into space. His journey aboard the Soviet spacecraft Soyuz T‑11 wasn’t just a scientific breakthrough—it was a moment of national pride that still resonates across generations.

1. Early Life and Career

Rakesh Sharma was born on 13 January 1949, in Patiala, Punjab. He completed his education in Hyderabad and later graduated from Nizam College. In 1966, he joined the National Defence Academy (NDA) and was commissioned as a pilot in the Indian Air Force (IAF) in 1970.

As a fighter pilot, he flew several missions during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, earning a reputation for his skill and discipline, especially flying MiG‑21s.

2. Selection for the Space Mission

In 1982, Sharma was selected as part of the Indo-Soviet joint space programme under the Interkosmos project. After intense training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Russia, he was chosen to join the crew of Soyuz T‑11.

3. The Historic Space Journey

On April 3, 1984, Soyuz T‑11 lifted off from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, carrying Rakesh Sharma along with two Soviet cosmonauts—Yuri Malyshev and Gennady Strekalov.

The spacecraft docked with the Salyut 7 space station, where Sharma spent nearly 8 days conducting a range of experiments. His work included:

• Remote sensing of India's natural resources

• Material science research in microgravity

• Yoga in zero gravity to study its effects on body control

• Biomedical experiments on cardiovascular and muscular responses

Even food was uniquely Indian—special rations like aloo chole, suji halwa, and vegetable pulao were carried on board.

4. A Patriotic Highlight

One of the most unforgettable moments occurred during a live video call with Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. When she asked Sharma how India looked from space, his poetic reply became iconic:

“Saare Jahan Se Achcha”
(Better than the entire world)

That single phrase united the hearts of millions and made history even more memorable.

5. Awards and Honours

For his extraordinary achievement, Rakesh Sharma was awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry award. The Soviet Union also honoured him with the title “Hero of the Soviet Union”—making him the only Indian to receive it.

6. Life After Space

After his return, Sharma continued serving in the IAF before retiring as a Wing Commander in 1990. He later worked as a chief test pilot for Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), contributing to India's indigenous aircraft programmes.

Now living a quiet life in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu, Sharma stays connected to India’s space program and occasionally contributes insights for ISRO’s Gaganyaan mission.

7. Legacy and Inspiration

Rakesh Sharma’s space journey remains a shining milestone in India’s scientific history. His courage, discipline, and patriotism inspired generations of scientists, students, and citizens. With India now preparing for its own human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, his legacy feels more relevant than ever.

Conclusion

From fighter planes to outer space, Rakesh Sharma's journey symbolizes the strength of human ambition and national pride. He didn’t just go to space—he took India with him. And even today, his words—“Saare Jahan Se Achcha”—continue to echo across the skies.