For the first time in India, the Russian House in Chennai is showing a photo exhibition dedicated to the historic space flight of India’s first citizen, Rakesh Sharma. Exactly 40 years ago, on 3 April 1984, Rakesh Sharma went into orbit as part of the crew of the Soyuz T-11 spacecraft along with Soviet cosmonauts Yuri Malyshev and Gennady Strekalov.

“This exhibition gives Indian audiences a unique opportunity to trace the stages of preparation for the historic flight of India’s first citizen into space. I am sure that Rakesh Sharma can become an example for many young people who dream of linking their life and work with space and space research,” said Oleg Avdeev, Consul General of the Russian Federation in Chennai.

More than 250 students of aerospace engineering and computer engineering faculties of universities in Chennai were able to see unique photographs dedicated to this historic event.

“The bilateral long-term co-operation between India and Russia in the field of space is multifaceted and includes training and assistance to India in developing the field of space research,” said Lenin Tamilkovan, Head of the Tamil Nadu Institute of Science and Technology.

For future Indian engineers and cosmonauts was a screening of the Russian film “Vyzov” (2023, directed by K. Shipenko), the world’s first feature film shot in space.

Photo: Russian House in Chennai