India's first astronaut Rakesh Sharma said this to PM Indira Gandhi on April 2

When the then India's Prime Minister Indira Gandhi asked Rakesh Sharma, how does India look from space on April 2, 1984 he said that India was,"Sare Jahan Se Achcha"

Bengaluru: April 2 is a special day, but how many of us know why? Apart from India wining its second cricket World Cup nine years ago, there is another achievement.

Let's dig into the past:

It was on this day way back in the year 1984 that Indian astronaut Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian to venture into space. He flew in the Soyuz T11 spacecraft on this day.

This also brings to mind a comment by Sharma which makes for a great anecdote.

When the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi asked him, “How does India look from space?"

To this, Sharma said, "Sare Jahan Se Achcha."

2nd April #TheDayInHistory

IAF officer Sqn Ldr #RakeshSharma flew aboard a SoyuzT11 spacecraft #OnThisDay in 1984 & became the first Indian to journey into space.

When the then PM Smt #IndiraGandhi asked "How does India look from space"

Sharma said, "Sare Jahan Se Achcha"

These words are etched in India’s memory.

More on Rakesh Sharma and the mission:

Soyuz T-11 was launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic. A popular website states that Sharma spent 7 days, 21 hours, and 40 minutes aboard the Salyut 7 during which his team conducted scientific and technical studies which included 43 experimental sessions.

It should be noted that he worked mainly on biomedicine and also remote sensing.

With Sharma's voyage aboard Soyuz T-11, India became the 14th nation to send a man to outer space.

Rakesh Sharma then joined HAL in the year 1987. He served as the chief test pilot. He retired in the year 2001.