Russian Astronauts Celebrate India's Independence Day from Space

Russian astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) extended their warm wishes to India on its Independence Day. They celebrated this occasion with messages highlighting the deep ties between the two nations in the realm of space exploration. As India prepares to commemorate its 80th Independence Day, the astronauts reflected on the historical collaboration between India and Russia, particularly in space missions and human spaceflight.

Cosmonaut Pyotr Dubrov conveyed his best wishes for peace and prosperity to the Indian populace, stating, "Dear friends, today the Republic of India celebrates its 80th Independence Day." He emphasized that India has emerged from colonial rule and is now on a path toward self-reliance and prosperity. The message also highlighted the connection between India's Independence Day and a significant event in space history, marking 65 years since Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space. Gagarin's visit to India in November 1961 further strengthened the ties between the Soviet Union and India, symbolizing the blossoming friendship between the two nations. Remembering Gagarin's thoughts on India, the astronauts shared that he remarked how beautiful the country looks from space, but even more so on Earth due to the presence of true friends. The collaboration between India and Russia in space has been ongoing for decades, beginning with the launch of India's first satellite, Aryabhata, by the Soviet Union in 1975, marking a significant milestone in their partnership. Nearly a decade later, in 1984, Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian to travel to space aboard the Soviet Soyuz T-11 spacecraft.

According to cosmonaut Anna Kikina, this partnership is continuously evolving through India's Gaganyaan human spaceflight program. Prior to India's first crewed space mission, Indian astronauts, referred to as 'Gaganyatris,' underwent training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Russia. To celebrate the collaboration in space, Roscosmos, its representative office in India, and ISRO organized a joint competition, which the astronauts mentioned. The winning entries were showcased alongside the Independence Day messages. In conclusion, the astronauts wished for peace, prosperity, and further achievements in space exploration for India.