Memorial Plaque Honouring Yuri Gagarin and Russian Space Pioneers Unveiled in Delhi

The International Day of Human Space Flight was celebrated in New Delhi on Saturday with the unveiling at the Russian House of a sculptural plaque depicting in bas-relief legendary cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, who was the first human to travel into outer space, together with two other space pioneers from Russia.

Unveiling of the plaque took place in the presence of Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov with cosmonaut Denis Matveev who flew from Russia to attend the ceremony.

In the evening, a screening of the gripping Russian drama 'The Challenge' was organized on the premises.

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The organizers say this is the "first" such movie to be shot in space.

Gagarin became the first human to enter outer space on April 12, 1961, under the then Soviet Union. This day is celebrated in Russia as Cosmonautics Day in honor of that historic flight.

The plaque depicts Gagarin in spacesuit, along with Konstantin Tsiolkovsky-the father of Russia's space exploration, and Sergei Korolev-the man behind the first human flight to space.

"On April 12, we celebrate space exploration, we call it 'Cosmonautics Day'. It was on this day in 1961, Yuri Gagarin took first human flight to space. It is of course an occasion to remember numerous achievements of all humankind in space exploration. But also to note the future endeavours that we should make jointly by joining hands for space exploration," the Russian envoy told PTI.

Alipov mentioned the existing space ties between Russia and India within the overarching multi-faceted bilateral relations between the two countries.

"And it is necessary and absolutely vital to do the space exploration together in good spirits, for friendship, peaceful purposes. And this is something we are doing together with India. We have joined hands under the Indian space programme... cooperate on India's forthcoming manned mission to space, in the area of satellite navigation and many other areas. And I am happy to mention this and I am absolutely sure we are going to expand on this path," he said.

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A rare exhibition of archival photographs in honor of Gagarin's flight on April 12, 1961, is presently on exhibit at the Russian Centre of Science and Culture Russian House in the very heart of Delhi.

"We now learn a lot from India and use India's experience and achievement in space explorations. This is also a very heartening moment," the envoy said.

Responding to a question regarding the plaque project, Alipov stated it is the initiative of the Russian House, expressing happy feelings that it has been placed on the outer wall of the Russian House in Delhi.

"It depicts Yuri Gagarin, Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, father of Russia's space exploration, the vision of space exploration, also Sergei Korolev, the man behind the first human flight to space, he was also the initiator of the space programme of the Soviet Union. Momentous occasion to remember all of them. And I am happy that we have this memorial over here to remind us of the past achievements, but also to look into the future," the envoy added.

Gagarin later that year in 1961 also visited India, where he was celebrated warmly.

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