Astronaut P Balakrishnan Nair is given the award by the Indian President Droupadi Murmu.
New Delhi: Indian astronaut Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, one of the astronauts selected for India's first human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, was awarded the prestigious Kirti Chakra by Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The Kirti Chakra is India's second-highest peacetime gallantry award and is conferred for exceptional courage, devotion to duty, and distinguished service to the nation.
Air Commodore Nair received the honour in recognition of his contribution to India's growing space ambitions and his role in international human spaceflight missions.
Nair served as the backup astronaut for the Axiom-4 Mission, a landmark mission linked to India's maiden journey to the International Space Station (ISS).
His involvement in the mission showcased India's expanding presence in human space exploration and strengthened the country's preparations for future crewed space missions.
Air Commodore Nair is among the select group of astronauts chosen for the Gaganyaan programme, which aims to send Indian astronauts into space aboard an indigenous spacecraft.
The mission is considered a major milestone for India's space programme and is expected to pave the way for future crewed missions and advanced space exploration initiatives.
The recognition of Nair with the Kirti Chakra underscores the importance of India's human spaceflight programme and honours the dedication of the astronauts and personnel working toward the country's ambitious space goals.
