Rakesh Sharma: The First Indian In Space

Some unknown facts
Taranah-e-Hindi or Saare Jahan Se Accha, Hindustan Hamara was penned by the poet, Muhammad Iqbal in 1904 but was eternalised in the year, 1984 by the first Indian in space, Rakesh Sharma. Born on January 13 in the year 1949, he celebrates his 67th birthday today.

• On Rakesh Sharma's 67th birthday, listed are some facts you should definitely know about the first Indian to travel in space
• Born in Patiala, Punjab, Sharma, as a young boy, studied in Hyderabad.
• After completing his education, he enrolled in the National Defense Academy (NDA) as an Air Force trainee in 1966.
• The focused and dedicated student was commissioned into the Indian Air Force to become a pilot, four years after he completed his training.
• Joining the Indian Air Force as a test pilot, he rolled open several opportunities such as being a part of war operations against Pakistan.
• As a part of a joint programme between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Soviet Intercosmos space programme, Sharma was selected on September 20, 1982 to become a cosmonaut and go into space.
• When he flew aboard the Soyuz T-11, on April 2 in 1984, he became the first citizen of India to go into space.
• He spent seven days 21 hours and 40 minutes in space.
• His work was in the arenas of bio-medicine and remote sensing.
• While in space, the whole crew had a television news conference with officials in Moscow and the then Indian Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi.
• Saare Jahan Se Achcha were the words Sharma recited when he was asked how India looks from outer space by Indira Gandhi.
• He became the 128th person to travel to space and India became the 14th nation to send a man to outer space.
• A few years later, he became a part of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) as a test pilot.
• He was conferred with the Hero of Soviet Union upon his home coming.
• Sharma was also conferred with the Ashoka Chakra.