In a momentous event celebrating Uttar Pradesh Day 2026, Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla was honored with the esteemed Uttar Pradesh Gaurav Samman, alongside four other prominent figures from the state. The ceremony took place at the newly constructed Rashtra Prerna Sthal in Lucknow, inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and attended by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. This three-day celebration, which commenced on January 24, commemorates the foundation of the state while recognizing outstanding contributions in various fields, including space exploration, education, literature, women’s empowerment, and agriculture.
Group Captain Shukhanshu Shukla, a native of Lucknow, expressed his deep pride in receiving the award. He remarked, “I always feel very good after coming to my birthplace,” and emphasized the motivational impact of such initiatives on the youth. Shukla is notably the prime astronaut for India’s Axiom-4 mission and made history as the first Indian to reach the International Space Station aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on June 26, 2025. He is the second Indian astronaut to journey into space, following Rakesh Sharma’s historic mission in 1984.
The other esteemed recipients of the Uttar Pradesh Gaurav Samman 2026 included:
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Alakh Pandey, based in Prayagraj, who is the founder and CEO of Physics Wallah. Starting with a YouTube channel in 2016 and launching an app in 2020, he has transformed affordable education in India. His venture achieved unicorn status in 2022, becoming the sixth edtech unicorn in the country.
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Dr. Hariom Panwar, a law professor from Bulandshahr, acknowledged for his literary contributions. His well-regarded works include the poems ‘Kala Dhan’, ‘Ghati Ke Dil Ki Dhadkan’, ‘Main Marte Loktantra Ka Bayan Hoon’, and ‘Bagi Hain Hum, Inquilab Ke Geet Sunate Jayenge’. Proceeds from his literary creations contribute to educational endeavors for underprivileged children and welfare initiatives for marginalized communities.
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Rashmi Arya, founder of Shrimad Dayanand Arya Kanya Gurukul in Meerut, recognized for her impactful work in women’s empowerment. Founded in 2007, the gurukul integrates Vedic traditions with modern education and has provided free schooling to more than 600 girls in need. The institution’s students excel in academics as well as competitions in the Gita-Ashtadhyayi, yoga, archery, and jump rope.
- Dr. Sudhanshu Singh, hailing from Varanasi, who has gained acclaim for his advancements in agriculture. A gold medalist from Acharya Narendra Deva University, he holds a PhD from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines. His research on flood-tolerant Sub-1 rice varieties has garnered international recognition. Serving as director of the IRRI’s South Asia Regional Centre in Varanasi, he has led projects funded by organizations like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the World Bank, making significant contributions to sustainable agriculture during his nearly three-decade career.
During the ceremony, Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed the gathered audience, spotlighting the state’s progress under the current administration. He acknowledged the honorees—Shukhanshu Shukla, Alakh Pandey, Rashmi Arya, Sudhanshu Singh, and Hari Om Panwar—while emphasizing the transformation of Uttar Pradesh from a historically underdeveloped state to a burgeoning economy. Shah projected that by 2047, Uttar Pradesh would become fully developed and a cornerstone of a ‘Viksit Bharat’.
In addition to the accolades, Shah launched the ‘One District, One Cuisine’ initiative aimed at promoting the state’s rich culinary heritage on a global platform. He also inaugurated the Sardar Patel Industrial Area Scheme, intended to cultivate a one-trillion-dollar economy through phased industrial development across various districts.
Shah highlighted key achievements over recent years, including a remarkable 17% agricultural growth and a 20% contribution from Uttar Pradesh to national food grain production. Improvements have also been made in social welfare, with permanent housing provided to 62 lakh families and pensions issued to over one crore individuals. Law and order in the state has seen notable advancements, exemplified by a 94% reduction in dacoity and an 82% drop in robbery incidents. IT exports have surged beyond ₹82,000 crore, with electronics exports growing by 11% and investment proposals totaling ₹45 lakh crore—of which ₹15 lakh crore have already been implemented.
The Uttar Pradesh Gaurav Samman serves to highlight the state’s commitment to acknowledging excellence and inspiring future generations. As Shukla observed, initiatives such as these motivate the youth and reinforce the government’s broader vision of development and empowerment. The celebrations will continue for the next two days, featuring cultural programs and exhibitions at Rashtra Prerna Sthal, dedicated to national icons like Shyama Prasad Mookerjee, Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
