New Delhi:

Bharat remains “better than the whole world (The best in the world),” said the country’s first astronaut Rakesh Sharma as he celebrated the 40th anniversary of the historic flight. Mr. Sharma, 75, is closely associated with the country’s new effort to send four astronauts into space The older gentleman said he would be happy to take another flight, but only as a “tourist.”

“It’s too much work. I just want to put my nose to the window (this time) and admire the view of Mother Earth from space,” he told New Delhi TV in an exclusive interview.

Today, as India prepares for its first manned space flight as part of the Gaganyaan mission, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is also looking back at its golden moment 40 years ago.

“Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma’s journey into space not only inspired Bharat but also symbolized the limitless potential of human endeavor,” said S Somanath, then 21-year-old chairman of the Space Research Organization.

“On the 40th anniversary of the historic space flight, let us take a moment to commemorate his extraordinary achievements and the indelible mark he left on Indian space exploration,” he added.

History was made on April 3, 1984, when Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma took off aboard a Soviet rocket and became India’s first ‘Gaganyatri’ – a term officially used by the country. He stayed on the Soviet space station for 7 days and 21 hours.

His conversations with the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, transmitted from Dodra Hills to every household, shocked the nation. for her question”How does India look from above? (How does India look from above)” he responded in a famous verse written by Allama Iqbal, “better than the whole world“. Mr. Sharma told New Delhi TV today that the line had not been rehearsed at all. He had sung the legendary song in school before, so it was a natural fit.

ISRO now wants to send one of its four designated astronauts into space from Sriharikota as part of its Gaganyaan mission. The rocket will be made in India and as Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “This time, the countdown will be ours too”.

Group Captain Ravish Malhotra, who trained with Mr. Sharma, was an astronaut on standby but never flew into space. Now 81, he went on to help found one of India’s most dynamic aerospace companies, Bangalore-based Dynamatic Technologies.

Talking about him, Mr. Sharma said: “I am fortunate to have been selected for space. I would like to emphasize that it is sheer good luck because between my colleague Mr. Ravish and myself, I cannot claim to have any special Quality. That only exists in me, not in him.”

Mr. Sharma is now helping ISRO train the four astronauts for the Gaganyan mission.

Mr Sharma underwent yoga training before the flight and practiced in near-zero gravity conditions. This practice earned him the nickname “The World’s First Antriksh Yogi”.

“Purists will find the yoga I do childish. But doing yoga in weightless conditions is not easy and requires good quality harnesses to hold the yogi in space,” he said.

Sources at the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) said that yoga has now become a part of the daily routine of the “mythical four”, popularly known as “Gaganyatri”.

Mr Somanath said Mr Sharma had been “a supporter, promoter and adviser to the development of Gaganyaan”.

“He continued to support ISRO in many ways in developing manned space flight capabilities. He remains India’s Gaganyatri pioneer and four candidates followed in his footsteps to be part of the Gaganyaan mission,” he added.

Mr. Sharma said he eagerly awaits the day when he will be accompanied by an Indian in the elite club of “Cosmic Gazers.”