Kolkata Celebrates Yuri Gagarin, the First Man in Space
On 12 April 1961, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri A. Gagarin made the world’s first orbital flight. At 09:07 Moscow time
By Aditi Bhaduri
Sixty five years ago on this day – 12 April – the Soviet Union made history! Indeed, humankind made history.
On 12 April 1961, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri A. Gagarin made the world’s first orbital flight. At 09:07 Moscow time, he embarked on the first human spaceflight aboard the Vostok 1 spacecraft. launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, now in present Kazakhstan.
It lasted 108 minutes, during which he orbited the Earth once. “Off we go!” (Poyekhali!) these words were heard by the entire world.
He observed the planet from orbit, noting the extraordinary hues of the atmosphere and the brilliance of the stars. Control was partly automated in case of unpredictable human reactions in weightlessness.
Gagarin became a symbol of courage and dreams, proving that there are no obstacles for a person who aspires to the stars.
Later, Valentina Tereshkova became the world’s first female cosmonaut with her flight into space in June 16, 1963. She spent almost three days in space on the Vostok 6 spacecraft, completing 48 orbits around the Earth. Her flight proved that women are just as capable and professional as men.
On March 18, 1965, Alexei Lenovo performed the first spacewalk in history, demonstrating exceptional courage, especially in a non-standard situation when his inflated space suit prevented him from returning to the spacecraft.
These three heroic events have become the foundation upon which all Russian cosmonautics is built. Their names are known to everyone. Their courage inspires new generations.
The most shining example of Indo-Soviet space cooperation was the flight of the first Indian to space. On 3rd April in 1984, Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian to travel to space. This day is etched in the minds of all Indians as the day when India made its first steps in space.
Sharma went to space as part of a Soviet space mission. In 1984 the Soyuz-U launch vehicle put into orbit the Soyuz T-11 spacecraft under the Intercosmos program. The crew consisted of Soviet cosmonauts Yuri Malyshev and Gennady Strekalov included India’s first cosmonaut, Rakesh Sharma.
To mark this extraordinary day, and 42nd Anniversary of first Indian cosmonaut Rakesh Sharma’s journey to space, the Russian House in Kolkata organised a uniquely intersting program.
The welcome began with a speech of Mr Sergey Shushin, director of Russian House in Kolkata. He spoke about the significance of World Cosmonautic Day and the Indo Russian joint venture programme on space, that has fostered strengthening of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
It was followed by an illustrative audio visual presentation on the life and feats of Yuri Gagarin by a senior student of Russian Language, Natasha Ghose.
An excerpt from an interview of Elena Gagarina, elder daughter of Yuri Gagarin, with British Council on Yuri Gagarin as a family man was read out by Madhabi Bhattacharya, the Director of the Institute of Russian Language.
Debasmita Moulick, a senior journalist narrated about the Kolkata connect with Yuri Gagarin.
The programme concluded with screening of two documentary films on Yuri Gagarin and Rakesh Sharma.
The Russian House had also put on display an illustrative exhibition of Life and Feats of Yuri Gagarin and Rakesh Sharma.
To further encourage the understanding of this legacy, the Russian House in Kolkata also organised a sit and draw event “Cosmos through the eyes of children” on 11 th April. More than hundred children within the age group of 5 to 15 years participated from thirty different schools covering every district of West Bengal.
The chief guests of the event were his Excellency Maxim Kozlov, Consul General of Russian Federation in Kolkata and Mr S.Dutta, Curator of M.P.Birla Planetarium.
The event began with the Director of the Russian House, Mr Sergey Shushin greeting the children and narrating to them briefly about the significance of the event. Before the distribution of certificate with mementos the Consul General addressed the children. telling them about Yuri Gagarin and how happy he was to participate in this event and witness how enthusiastically the children were drawing.
Mr S. Dutta requested the children to visit the planetarium and see the bust of Yuri Gagarin displayed there.
All participants recieved a certificate with a badge and fridge magnet of Yuri Gagarin as a memento to take back home.
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