Rakesh sharma information

Born on January 13, 1949 in Patiala, Punjab, Rakesh Sharma attended St. George’s Grammar School, Hyderabad and graduated from Nizam College, Hyderabad. He was admitted to the National Defence Academy (NDA) at Khadakvasla, Pune, in July 1966 and became a commissioned officer in the Indian Air Force (IAF) in 1970. Rakesh Sharma in 1984, was appointed squadron leader in the IAF.(Illustration: Mohit Suneja) Career Having joined the IAF as a test pilot, Rakesh Sharma flew 21 combat missions in a MiG-21 during the 1971 Bangladesh war. He went on to fly a wide range of aircraft and on September 20, 1982 was chosen to become a cosmonaut as part of a joint initiative that involved the space research bodies Interkosmos, representing the Soviet Union as well as the Indian Space Research Organisation. Destination space He along with a large number of fellow candidates went through many tests first at the Institute of Aerospace Medicine in Bangalore and then to Moscow. The large batch was gradually reduced to a shortlist of four candidates, before a final round of medical tests left just two candidates – Rakesh Sharma and Ravish Malhotra – both of them being IAF pilots. It was made clear at the outset that even though only one of them would finally make the grade for the space odyssey, the other one would be a standby for any eventuality. However, the identity of who exactly would be the lucky one would be taken only towards the last stage before the actual space flight. Tough training...

In 1984, Indian Air Force pilot Rakesh Sharma made history by becoming the first Indian to travel to space. Mr Sharma was part of the Soviet Union's Soyuz T-11 expedition, which was launched exactly 36 years ago on April 2, 1984. On the 36th anniversary of that landmark day, a tweet by the Deputy Director of Maharashtra Information Centre, Dayanand Kamble, relives a conversation between Indira Gandhi and IAF officer Rakesh Sharma. The astronaut spoke to Ms Gandhi from space during a joint television news conference, which also included officials in Moscow. The conversation is remembered for Mr Sharma's memorable answer to the then prime minister's query about how India looks from space. During the news conference, Indira Gandhi asked Mr Sharma "Upar se Bharat kaisa dikhta hai aapko (How does India look like from space?)." Watch the conversation between Rakesh Sharma and Indira Gandhi below: 2nd April IAF officer Sqn Ldr When the then PM Smt Sharma said, "Sare Jahan Se Achcha" . Since being shared online a few hours ago, the video has collected more than 53,000 views and a ton of comments. Memorable & unforgettable achievement how India made its first ever reach in space.— Ramanand Jha (@RamaNan56576333) Proud moment— tahir sams (@tahir_sams) Astronaut Rakesh Sharma spent seven days, 21 hours and 40 minutes in space as part of a joint programme between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Soviet Intercosmos space programme. He was accompanied on the mission...

And so, every time someone asks us who was the first Indian in space? The name on the tip of all of our tongues is wing commander Rakesh Sharma. But do you know the man who was the backup astronaut for the same space mission in 1984? This is the lesser known story of Air Commodore (Retd) Ravish Malhotra, recipient of the Kirti Chakra. The man who almost became the first Indian in space. (L) Ravish Malhotra as part of the alternate crew for the mission. (R) Ravish Malhotra. Source: In an interview with A renowned name in the air force community, growing up, Ravish wanted to serve in the navy. But fate had different plans for the young boy. He reveals how, during the selection, when he wanted to join the navy, he was told that his eyesight was not good enough for the navy, but for the air force. “They were running short of air force cadets. So, I said alright, and that’s how I joined the air force and the fighter stream,” he told the The man fought in the 1971 Indo-Pak war as a fighter pilot and escaped a close shave with death. They were attacking tanks in the Chamb-Jaurian sector in West Pakistan when his plane received heavy anti-aircraft gunfire. “In the cockpit, you hear a lot of thud thud thud. But I was lucky that nothing came through,” he told It wasn’t until the war ended that he was offered the golden opportunity to travel into space. The then government decided to send pilots to Russia for training for this. The main criteria for selection was a fit fighter pilot....

In 1982, Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian to set foot in the space and made India proud! It has been almost 26 years since he embarked on the groundbreaking mission to space and is still lauded for his phenomenal mission. He was a part of the most recognizable space program involving the finest astronauts ready to enter the outer space. On his 72nd birthday, we take you on a journey covering his early life and the quest towards becoming the first Indian astronaut in space. Latest: Indian-American Raja Chari Selected by NASA for SpaceX Mission Education of APJ Abdul Kalam Early Life and Education of Rakesh Sharma Rakesh Sharma was born in the well-known province of Patiala on 13th January 1949 in the state of Punjab. He attended St. George’s Grammar School in Hyderabad where he gained his early education. Rakesh Sharma later pursued his higher education in the National Defense Academy as an Air Force Cadet in the year 1966. He was a bright and hardworking student, and in 4 years, he was approved by the Indian Air Force to become a pilot. Initial Career in IAF In 1970, Rakesh Sharma joined the IAF as a test pilot where he operated 21 military operations in the MiG-21 during the Bangladesh War of 1971. He managed to fly a diverse array of planes, where he was promoted to the prestigious rank of a squadron leader. On 20 September 1982, he was selected to become a cosmonaut as part of a collaborative effort involving space research organizations Interkosmos, serving the So...

In 1984, Indian Air Force pilot Rakesh Sharma made history by becoming the first Indian to travel to space. Mr Sharma was part of the Soviet Union's Soyuz T-11 expedition, which was launched exactly 36 years ago on April 2, 1984. On the 36th anniversary of that landmark day, a tweet by the Deputy Director of Maharashtra Information Centre, Dayanand Kamble, relives a conversation between Indira Gandhi and IAF officer Rakesh Sharma. The astronaut spoke to Ms Gandhi from space during a joint television news conference, which also included officials in Moscow. The conversation is remembered for Mr Sharma's memorable answer to the then prime minister's query about how India looks from space. During the news conference, Indira Gandhi asked Mr Sharma "Upar se Bharat kaisa dikhta hai aapko (How does India look like from space?)." Watch the conversation between Rakesh Sharma and Indira Gandhi below: 2nd April IAF officer Sqn Ldr When the then PM Smt Sharma said, "Sare Jahan Se Achcha" . Since being shared online a few hours ago, the video has collected more than 53,000 views and a ton of comments. Memorable & unforgettable achievement how India made its first ever reach in space.— Ramanand Jha (@RamaNan56576333) Proud moment— tahir sams (@tahir_sams) Astronaut Rakesh Sharma spent seven days, 21 hours and 40 minutes in space as part of a joint programme between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Soviet Intercosmos space programme. He was accompanied on the mission...

In 1982, Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian to set foot in the space and made India proud! It has been almost 26 years since he embarked on the groundbreaking mission to space and is still lauded for his phenomenal mission. He was a part of the most recognizable space program involving the finest astronauts ready to enter the outer space. On his 72nd birthday, we take you on a journey covering his early life and the quest towards becoming the first Indian astronaut in space. Latest: Indian-American Raja Chari Selected by NASA for SpaceX Mission Education of APJ Abdul Kalam Early Life and Education of Rakesh Sharma Rakesh Sharma was born in the well-known province of Patiala on 13th January 1949 in the state of Punjab. He attended St. George’s Grammar School in Hyderabad where he gained his early education. Rakesh Sharma later pursued his higher education in the National Defense Academy as an Air Force Cadet in the year 1966. He was a bright and hardworking student, and in 4 years, he was approved by the Indian Air Force to become a pilot. Initial Career in IAF In 1970, Rakesh Sharma joined the IAF as a test pilot where he operated 21 military operations in the MiG-21 during the Bangladesh War of 1971. He managed to fly a diverse array of planes, where he was promoted to the prestigious rank of a squadron leader. On 20 September 1982, he was selected to become a cosmonaut as part of a collaborative effort involving space research organizations Interkosmos, serving the So...

Bio/Wiki Profession Former Indian Air Force Pilot, Cosmonaut Famous For Being the first Indian citizen to travel in Space Physical Stats & More Height (approx.) in centimeters- 168 cm in meters- 1.68 m in feet inches- 5’ 6” Weight (approx.) in kilograms- 75 kg in pounds- 165 lbs Eye Colour Light Brown Hair Colour White Defence Services Service/Branch Indian Air Force Rank Wing Commander Service Years 1970-1987 Awards, Honours • Ashok Chakra • Paschimi Star • Sangram Medal • Sainya Seva Medal • Videsh Seva Service Medal • 25th Anniversary of Independence Medal • 9 Years Long Service Medal • Hero of the Soviet Union Space Mission Mission Soyuz T-11 Selection 1982 Joined As a Cosmonaut Time Spent in Space 7 days 21 hours and 40 minutes Personal Life Date of Birth 13 January 1949 Birthplace Patiala, Punjab, India Age (as of 2020) 71 Years Zodiac sign Capricorn Signature Nationality Indian Hometown Hyderabad, India School • St. Ann's High School, Secunderabad • St. Georges Grammar School, Hyderabad College/University • Nizam College, Hyderabad • National Defence Academy in Khadakvasla, Pune Educational Qualification Not Known Religion Hinduism Caste Gaur Brahmin [1] Address He lives in Coonoor- a small town in Nilgiri Hills, Tamil Nadu Hobbies Gardening, Travelling, Reading, Playing Golf, Doing Yoga Relationships & More Marital Status Married Affairs/Girlfriends Not Known Family Wife/Spouse Madhu (Interior Decorator) Children Son- Kapil Sharma (Film Director) Daughter- Mansi (d...

And so, every time someone asks us who was the first Indian in space? The name on the tip of all of our tongues is wing commander Rakesh Sharma. But do you know the man who was the backup astronaut for the same space mission in 1984? This is the lesser known story of Air Commodore (Retd) Ravish Malhotra, recipient of the Kirti Chakra. The man who almost became the first Indian in space. (L) Ravish Malhotra as part of the alternate crew for the mission. (R) Ravish Malhotra. Source: In an interview with A renowned name in the air force community, growing up, Ravish wanted to serve in the navy. But fate had different plans for the young boy. He reveals how, during the selection, when he wanted to join the navy, he was told that his eyesight was not good enough for the navy, but for the air force. “They were running short of air force cadets. So, I said alright, and that’s how I joined the air force and the fighter stream,” he told the The man fought in the 1971 Indo-Pak war as a fighter pilot and escaped a close shave with death. They were attacking tanks in the Chamb-Jaurian sector in West Pakistan when his plane received heavy anti-aircraft gunfire. “In the cockpit, you hear a lot of thud thud thud. But I was lucky that nothing came through,” he told It wasn’t until the war ended that he was offered the golden opportunity to travel into space. The then government decided to send pilots to Russia for training for this. The main criteria for selection was a fit fighter pilot....

Born on January 13, 1949 in Patiala, Punjab, Rakesh Sharma attended St. George’s Grammar School, Hyderabad and graduated from Nizam College, Hyderabad. He was admitted to the National Defence Academy (NDA) at Khadakvasla, Pune, in July 1966 and became a commissioned officer in the Indian Air Force (IAF) in 1970. Rakesh Sharma in 1984, was appointed squadron leader in the IAF.(Illustration: Mohit Suneja) Career Having joined the IAF as a test pilot, Rakesh Sharma flew 21 combat missions in a MiG-21 during the 1971 Bangladesh war. He went on to fly a wide range of aircraft and on September 20, 1982 was chosen to become a cosmonaut as part of a joint initiative that involved the space research bodies Interkosmos, representing the Soviet Union as well as the Indian Space Research Organisation. Destination space He along with a large number of fellow candidates went through many tests first at the Institute of Aerospace Medicine in Bangalore and then to Moscow. The large batch was gradually reduced to a shortlist of four candidates, before a final round of medical tests left just two candidates – Rakesh Sharma and Ravish Malhotra – both of them being IAF pilots. It was made clear at the outset that even though only one of them would finally make the grade for the space odyssey, the other one would be a standby for any eventuality. However, the identity of who exactly would be the lucky one would be taken only towards the last stage before the actual space flight. Tough training...

Born on January 13, 1949 in Patiala, Punjab, Rakesh Sharma attended St. George’s Grammar School, Hyderabad and graduated from Nizam College, Hyderabad. He was admitted to the National Defence Academy (NDA) at Khadakvasla, Pune, in July 1966 and became a commissioned officer in the Indian Air Force (IAF) in 1970. Rakesh Sharma in 1984, was appointed squadron leader in the IAF.(Illustration: Mohit Suneja) Career Having joined the IAF as a test pilot, Rakesh Sharma flew 21 combat missions in a MiG-21 during the 1971 Bangladesh war. He went on to fly a wide range of aircraft and on September 20, 1982 was chosen to become a cosmonaut as part of a joint initiative that involved the space research bodies Interkosmos, representing the Soviet Union as well as the Indian Space Research Organisation. Destination space He along with a large number of fellow candidates went through many tests first at the Institute of Aerospace Medicine in Bangalore and then to Moscow. The large batch was gradually reduced to a shortlist of four candidates, before a final round of medical tests left just two candidates – Rakesh Sharma and Ravish Malhotra – both of them being IAF pilots. It was made clear at the outset that even though only one of them would finally make the grade for the space odyssey, the other one would be a standby for any eventuality. However, the identity of who exactly would be the lucky one would be taken only towards the last stage before the actual space flight. Tough training...