In a heartfelt moment from space, Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla paid tribute to Rakesh Sharma, India’s first space traveler, by echoing the iconic phrase, “Saare Jahan Se Accha.” Speaking during a live session from orbit, Shukla shared how seeing Earth — especially India — from space brought an overwhelming sense of pride and emotion.

“Even after all these years, Bharat still looks Saare Jahan Se Accha from up here,” Shukla said, his voice slightly trembling with emotion. He mentioned how Sharma’s words inspired generations of Indians and that being able to repeat them from space was both an honor and a deeply personal experience.

Shubhanshu Shukla, part of India’s growing astronaut corps under ISRO’s Gaganyaan mission, is currently on a joint scientific expedition aboard an international space station module. His tribute has since gone viral, with many Indians sharing the moment online and reminiscing about Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 space mission.

Shukla also shared a few glimpses of India from the cupola window — the Himalayan ranges, the golden sands of Rajasthan, and the deep blues of the Indian Ocean — describing them as “surreal, calm, and absolutely beautiful.”

This moment is not just a tribute, but a reminder of how far India has come in its space journey, and how deep patriotism runs in every mission launched from Indian soil.