Uttar Pradesh Day 2026: Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Among Honorees of Gaurav Samman Awards
Lucknow, January 24, 2026 – Indian Air Force Group Captain and astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, along with four other eminent personalities, received the Uttar Pradesh Gaurav Samman during a ceremony inaugurating Uttar Pradesh Day 2026. The event, which took place at the newly established Rashtra Prerna Sthal in Lucknow, was launched by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and attended by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The three-day celebration, starting on January 24, commemorates the state's founding and acknowledges contributions in fields such as space exploration, education, literature, women's empowerment, and agriculture.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, hailing from Lucknow, expressed deep pride in receiving the accolade. He remarked on the motivational value of such programs for the youth, praising the government's initiative. Shukla, selected as the lead astronaut for India's Axiom-4 mission, made history as the first Indian to reach the International Space Station (ISS) aboard SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft, which launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center on June 26, 2025. He is the second Indian astronaut in space, following Rakesh Sharma's 1984 mission.
| Recipient | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Alakh Pandey | Founder and CEO of Physics Wallah, revolutionized affordable education and achieved unicorn status in 2022. |
| Dr. Hariom Panwar | Law professor from Bulandshahr, recognized for his literary works and contributions to education for underprivileged children. |
| Rashmi Arya | Founder of Shrimad Dayanand Arya Kanya Gurukul, honored for women's empowerment and education. |
| Dr. Sudhanshu Singh | Acclaimed for advancements in agriculture, spearheading research on flood-tolerant rice varieties. |
During the event, Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed attendees, emphasizing the state's progress under the dual leadership government. Shah noted the transformation of Uttar Pradesh from a BIMARU state into a leading economy, projecting its full development by 2047 as a cornerstone of a 'Viksit Bharat'. He introduced the 'One District, One Cuisine' scheme to promote the state's culinary heritage worldwide and unveiled the Sardar Patel Industrial Area Scheme to support a one-trillion-dollar economy through phased industrial development across districts.
Shah highlighted several achievements, including a 17% agricultural growth, a 20% contribution to national food-grain production, and the provision of permanent housing to 62 lakh impoverished families. He also mentioned pensions for over one crore beneficiaries and significant reductions in crime, with a 94% decrease in dacoity and an 82% reduction in robbery incidents. Additionally, IT exports have surpassed ₹82,000 crore, electronics exports have grown by 11%, and there are investment proposals worth ₹45 lakh crore, with ₹15 lakh crore already implemented.
The Uttar Pradesh Gaurav Samman reflects the state's dedication to recognizing excellence and inspiring future generations. As Shukla pointed out, such initiatives greatly motivate the youth, aligning with the government's broader vision for development and empowerment. The celebrations will continue over the next two days, featuring cultural programs and exhibitions at Rashtra Prerna Sthal, a location dedicated to national icons like Shyama Prasad Mookerjee, Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
