Rakesh Sharma
Charlotte, North Carolina,United States
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Find Rakesh Sharma's PhoneWho Is Rakesh Sharma?
Rakesh Sharma is a celebrated former Indian Air Force pilot and cosmonaut. He etched his name in history on April 3, 1984, when he became the first Indian citizen to travel to space, flying aboard the Soviet Soyuz T-11 mission to the Salyut 7 orbital station as part of the Interkosmos program. During his nearly 8 days in space, he conducted various scientific and technical studies, including multispectral photography of northern India. His famous response to then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's question about how India looked from space, 'Saare Jahan Se Achha' (The best in the world), resonated deeply across the nation and remains iconic. Before his space journey, Sharma had a distinguished career in the Indian Air Force, joining in 1970, flying various aircraft including MiG-21s, and participating in combat missions during the 1971 Indo-Pak war. After retiring from the Air Force as a Wing Commander, he served as a chief test pilot for Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) from 1987 until 2001. He has since led a relatively private life, largely away from the public eye.
How Did Rakesh Sharma's Career Path Shape Their Journey?
Rakesh Sharma's work history includes a series of influential roles in various companies. Here is a detailed list of his professional journey:
What Are Rakesh Sharma's Key Achievements?
First Indian Citizen in Space
Became the first Indian citizen to journey into space, flying aboard the Soviet Soyuz T-11 spacecraft on April 3, 1984, as part of the joint Indo-Soviet space program. He spent 7 days, 21 hours, and 40 minutes aboard the Salyut 7 space station.
Recipient of the Ashoka Chakra
Awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peacetime gallantry award, in 1985 for his historic space mission and contributions to the nation.
Hero of the Soviet Union
Conferred with the title of 'Hero of the Soviet Union' by the USSR upon his successful return from space, recognizing his bravery and the significance of the joint Indo-Soviet space mission.
Distinguished Service in Indian Air Force
Served as an accomplished pilot in the Indian Air Force, flying various fighter aircraft and participating in the 1971 operations. He progressed through the ranks, retiring as a Wing Commander.
Chief Test Pilot at HAL
After his space mission and Air Force career, he served as the Chief Test Pilot for Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), contributing to the development and testing of indigenous aircraft.
What's Rakesh Sharma's Educational Background?
Master of Computer Applications - MCA, Computer Science
University of Madras - Year 2002
Bachelor's degree, Computer Science
University of Madras - Year 1998
Honors Diploma in Software Engineering, Computer Software Engineering
APTECH Computer Education - Year 2002
12th Standard, Physics, Chemistry, Maths, ComputerScience, English, Hindi
St Marys Matriculation Boys higher Secondary School - Year 1989
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Company Overview
Bank of AmericaBank of America is one of the world's leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses, and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management, and other financial and risk management products and services. The company is a major player in the U.S. financial landscape, offering extensive retail banking through its numerous branches and ATMs, alongside robust online and mobile banking solutions for its millions of customers.
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