India, Aug. 25 -- LUCKNOW Soon after Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla stepped out from the Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport here, people from all walks of life - school children, political leaders and commoners - wanted to have a glimpse of their star who is the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS).

Shukla was accorded a hero's welcome to his hometown (Lucknow) on Monday, after his 20-day space sojourn with Axiom-4.

Family members, including his parents Shambhu and Asha Shukla, wife Kamna, and son Kiash, were present at the airport to greet him. They were joined by cheering crowds waving the Tricolour and chanting 'Vande Mataram'. Adding to the celebratory atmosphere, a troupe played drums and trumpets,...