NEW DELHI, INDIA — In a breathtaking display of patriotism and technological marvel, Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla has shared awe-inspiring images of India taken from space, capturing the imagination of the entire nation and beyond.

Currently aboard the Gaganyaan-2 orbital mission, Shukla became the first Indian to broadcast live visuals of the subcontinent from low Earth orbit, giving Indians around the globe an emotional and historic view of their motherland like never before.


📡 A View Worth a Billion Heartbeats

The photographs, taken at dawn and dusk, showcase a glowing India wrapped in clouds and kissed by the golden edge of sunlight. From the Himalayas in the north to the southern tip of Kanyakumari, the nation appeared like a jewel set against the vast darkness of space.

One of the images shows the Ganges River shimmering like a silver ribbon, while another captures the city lights of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru glowing like constellations.

On X (formerly Twitter), Shukla wrote:

“From up here, you don’t see borders — only beauty. My India, our India… glowing with life and unity. Jai Hind 🇮🇳”


👨‍🚀 Who is Shubhanshu Shukla?

Shubhanshu Shukla, a 38-year-old IAF Wing Commander turned astronaut, hails from Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. Selected as part of ISRO’s prestigious human spaceflight program, he trained extensively in India and Russia before being launched aboard Gaganyaan-2 earlier this year.

Known for his calm demeanor, poetic communication style, and fierce commitment to science and country, Shukla is being hailed as “India’s Voice in the Stars.”


🚀 The Mission Behind the Magic

Gaganyaan-2 is India’s second crewed space mission, marking a major step forward for the nation’s space ambitions. The spacecraft, currently orbiting Earth at approximately 400 km altitude, is conducting microgravity experiments, Earth observation missions, and live broadcasting to Indian students and researchers.

Shukla’s images were taken using high-resolution onboard cameras and shared via ISRO’s secure uplink. The photos were also streamed live during a special event hosted by the PMO and the Ministry of Education, where millions of students watched in awe.


🇮🇳 National Leaders React

Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the feat in a post on social media:

“Shubhanshu Shukla has made India proud — again. These images remind us how small we are in the universe, and how great we can be together. Jai Hind!”

President Droupadi Murmu also issued a statement, saying, “This is not just science — it is sentiment. An Indian soul looking at Bharat from the heavens.”


🧠 A Moment for the Youth

The moment has especially inspired students across the country, with trending hashtags like:

#IndiaFromSpace

#ShubhanshuInOrbit

#GaganyaanPride

Educational institutions across India have incorporated the footage into science lessons, discussing topics like space technology, Earth observation, and climate change.


🕊️ Final Word

As the world looks to space for answers, India looks to its stars — both celestial and human. Shubhanshu Shukla’s images from orbit are more than just pretty pictures. They’re a reminder of unity, possibility, and pride.

Because sometimes… you need to leave Earth to truly see how beautiful your home is.