Rakesh Sharma The man who inspired an entire nation especially those who are space enthusiast. He showed them that their dream can also come true one day – That is to go in space and explore as much as you want.
Born in Punjab on born 13 January 1949 he became a pilot and then first Indian to travel outer space. Here are some of the most interesting facts about this amazing pilot of Indian Air Force.
10 Interesting Facts About Rakesh Sharma
1. He joined Indian Air Force as a test Pilot in 1970. He was selected on 20 September 1982 to become a cosmonaut and go into space as part of a joint programme between the ISRO and the Soviet Intercosmos space program.
He Spent 7 Days 21 Hours 40Minutes in outer space.
2. When Indira Gandhi Asked Him “How India Looked From Outer Space” He Replied “Sare Jahan Se Acha Hindustan Hamara”
3. Do you what did Rakesh Sharma took in space to eat? The Defense Food Research Laboratory in Mysore packed suji halwa, alu choley and vegetable pulao for Sharma which he gladly shared with Malyshev and Strekalov in outer space.
4. He experimented with Yoga to cope with space sickness. He practiced “Zero Gravity Yoga” before taking off for space.
5. One of his famous Quotes is from 1971 War
“As Pakistani rangers suffered casualties, they waved white flags, asking BSF to stop the firing so that they can lift the bodies of the dead men. We stopped the firing after their request.”
6. As a Test Pilot of IAF he nearly escaped death on one occasion. Sharma escaped a fatal accident by ejecting himself off the MiG-21 seat near Nasik.
7. He Was Awarded Ashok Chakra by the Government of India.
8. He was also conferred with the honour of “Hero of Soviet Union” upon his return from space.
9. He retired with the rank of Wing Commander. He joined the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in 1987 and served as Chief Test Pilot in the HAL Nashik Division until 1992, before moving on to Bangalore to work as the Chief Test Pilot of HAL. He was also associated with the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas
10. Kapil Sharma, director of John Abraham, Chitrangada Singh, and Prachi Desai starrer I, Me aur Main is Rakesh Sharma’s son.
Rakesh Sharma is truly a remarkable figure who will always be a pride for this nation.
