Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla was given a grand welcome in his hometown Lucknow today. Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak and Mayor Sushma Kharkwal received him at Chaudhary Charan Singh Airport. Shubhanshu participated in a victory parade organised by his school, followed by the felicitation ceremony. During the victory parade, school children and locals showered him with flowers and waved the tricolour flags.

At his alma mater, the City Montessori School, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla encouraged students to pursue a career as an astronaut. He said that the only thing that’s required to achieve a goal is perseverance. He said that the future is bright and we have a vision and a mission to land on the moon by 2040.

The Indian Postal Department has released a special postal cover to honour Shubhanshu Shukla on this occasion. Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak earlier stated that Shubhanshu has brought honour to his city and country, and his arrival in Lucknow makes the entire city feel proud. Shubhanshu will be felicitated by the Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in a program organised by the department of science and technology of Uttar Pradesh later in the evening.