At lift-off, emotions soar for family, alma mater of Lko's Shubhanshu

There were tears of joy in the eyes of Asha Shukla, mother of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of Lucknow, as she watched the special live telecast of her son and the rest of the Axiom-4 crew settled in the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on Wednesday.

- Godhooli Sharma

LUCKNOW: Shubhanshu's sister Shuchi Mishra was by her side, giving her a pat on the back. All the while, an expression of pride was visible on the father Shambhu Dayal Shukla's face.

The special live telecast was arranged by Shubhanshu Shukla's alma mater - City Montessori School - at the World Unity Convention Centre, Kanpur Road campus. Surrounded by students, teachers and photographers soon after the lift-off, the family was the cynosure of all eyes at the event.

The last minute on the live timer felt like the longest for his family as they prayed with folded hands, without blinking even once.

Everybody in the auditorium jumped with joy as soon as the rocket was launched amid dhol (drum) beats. All cheered "Shubhanshu Shubhanshu" and "hip hip hooray".