‘Sare Jahan Se…’: Netizens Remind Anand Mahindra Of Rakesh Sharma As He Says He Waited To See Indians In Spacesuit

Famous for his quirky posts, the Chairman of Mahindra Group, Anand Mahindra is now getting traction for his recent post on Gaganyaan Mission. After Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced the names of the four Indian astronauts for the much-awaited mission, Mahindra said, “I grew up seeing photos of only American astronauts and Russian Cosmonauts”. Soon after his post went viral on X (formerly Twitter), netizens reminded him that Indians had previously ventured into space.

Curious netizens shared pictures and excerpts from a famous conversation between former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian to travel to space.

Sharma had an unforgettable conversation with then-PM Indira Gandhi in 1984. The iconic exchange marked a significant milestone in India’s space exploration journey.

Check Out The Post Here: 

In an X post, the Mahindra Group chairman shared a picture of the four astronauts posing in their space suits and said, “India announces the 4 Indian astronauts for the Gaganyaan mission to space. I grew up seeing photos of only American astronauts and Russian Cosmonauts. They were inspiring but I used to wistfully imagine and wonder if and when I would ever see fellow Indians in those adventurous space suits – on their way into Indian Spacecrafts. That wish now seems to be turning into reality”. 

“And I hope it will stoke the imagination and the aspiration of a whole new generation of Indians!” he added.

India announces the 4 Indian astronauts for the #Gaganyaan mission to space.

I grew up seeing photos of only American astronauts & Russian Cosmonauts.

They were inspiring but I used to wistfully imagine & wonder if & when I would ever see fellow Indians in those adventurous… pic.twitter.com/eLR1vA5WcC

— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) February 27, 2024

Here’s How Netizens Reacted: 

Hey Mr. Mahindra – IAF officers Ravish Malhotra and Rakesh Sharma from the early 1980s send their warm hellos to you 🙏 pic.twitter.com/x8o9vwl0JT

— Sandeep Manudhane (@sandeep_PT) February 28, 2024

Weren’t you born before 1984?

“Rakesh Sharma was the first Indian astronaut who embarked on an unparalleled journey through space in 1984.

His cosmic voyage unfolded through a joint collaboration between ISRO and the Soviet Interkosmos Space program alongside two Soviet… pic.twitter.com/sOT1VbPyaJ

— pawan yadav (@pawanyadav8) February 27, 2024

Did you grow up in America or Russia? pic.twitter.com/apePq9cBHr

— Rants&Roasts (@Sydusm) February 28, 2024

When Indira Gandhi Called Rakesh Sharma In Space: 

Sharma’s response to Gandhi’s question about “how India looked from space” left a lasting impression. “Saare Jahan Se Achha,” he replied, using the title of a patriotic poem by Muhammad Iqbal that translates to “Better than the entire world”.

This phrase evoked strong feelings of patriotism and unity.

Sharma’s journey and poignant conversation with Gandhi highlighted India’s ambitions in space exploration and its potential to inspire future generations. 

READ | Gaganyaan: Meet The Four Astronaut Designates Chosen To Fly On India’s First Manned Space Voyage

Earlier on Tuesday, Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap, and Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla were revealed to be part of the country’s human space flight mission, Gaganyaan.

PM Narendra Modi announced the names at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram, where the four men received astronaut wings.

The human space flight mission aims to launch a three-person crew into Low Earth Orbit and return them after three days. The astronauts chosen for the mission have been trained in both technical knowledge and physical fitness to ensure their well-being throughout the mission.