Rakesh Sharma: The Rare Fact Behind India's First Man in Space

Rakesh Sharma, born in Patiala on January 13, 1949, became India’s space pioneer.

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Enrolled in NDA in 1966, Sharma received his pilot commission in 1970.

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On April 2, 1984, Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian in space.

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Sharma collaborated with Soviet Intercosmos and ISRO, focusing on remote sensing, biomedicine.

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Sharma’s iconic reply to Indira Gandhi: "Saare Jahaan se Achcha," describing space.

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After retiring from IAF, Sharma worked as Hindustan Aeronautics’ chief test pilot.

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