Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and five other dignitaries were honoured with the Uttar Pradesh Gaurav Samman in Lucknow.

News Topical, Digital Desk : The main event of Uttar Pradesh Day 2026 was held this year at the newly built Rashtriya Prerna Sthal in Lucknow. The event will last for three days. Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the event today .

On this occasion, the state government honored those who have brought fame to Uttar Pradesh both nationally and internationally through their work. Five such distinguished individuals were awarded the "Uttar Pradesh Gaurav Samman 2025-26." This year, those honored are individuals who have made significant contributions in diverse fields, including space science, education, literature, women's empowerment, and agriculture.

Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, Alakh Pandey, Dr. Hariom Panwar, and Rashmi Arya are among those honored. All of them have brought glory to the state through their contributions in their respective fields. The Chief Minister wished them all a bright future.

Shubhanshu Shukla is the first Indian whoISSarrived

Among those honored with the Uttar Pradesh Gaurav Samman 2025-26 is Lucknow-based astronaut and Indian Air Force Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla. On June 26, 2025, Shubhanshu Shukla launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in the United States aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and reached the International Space Station (ISS). This made history, becoming the first Indian astronaut to reach the ISS. He is the second Indian to reach space, after Rakesh Sharma. 

Alakh Pandey made a name for himself in competitive education.

Alakh Pandey of Prayagraj, who has brought about a major change in the field of education, was awarded the Uttar Pradesh Gaurav Samman. In 2016, Alakh Pandey started a YouTube channel called "Physics Wala" for students preparing for competitive exams. Later, in 2020, an app with the same name was launched, which helped millions of students by providing quality education at a low cost. In 2022, his company became India's sixth edtech unicorn. Today, more than 10 million students are connected to this platform, and its YouTube channel has over 10 million subscribers. "Physics Wala" has made education easier, cheaper, and accessible to everyone. Alakh Pandey has received several prestigious honors, including the Education Excellence Award, Times 40 Under 40, and Edtech CEO of the Year.

Literary figure Hari Om Panwar also honored

Dr. Hariom Panwar, who has made significant contributions to the fields of literature and education, is also a recipient of this year's Uttar Pradesh Gaurav Samman. He was born in Butna village in Bulandshahr district. He served as a law professor at Meerut College for a long time. Dr. Panwar is particularly known for his poetry. His works, such as "Black Money," "The Heartbeat of the Valley," "I Am the Statement of a Dying Democracy," and "We Are Rebels, We Will Sunate Songs of Revolution," inspire society to reflect and become aware. He has received numerous honors, including the Nirala Award, the Bharatiya Sahitya Sangam Award, and the Rashmi Award. Notably, he uses the proceeds from his books to educate poor children and help those in need.

Rashmi Arya worked on women empowerment

Rashmi Arya, who has done outstanding work for women's empowerment, was also awarded the Uttar Pradesh Gaurav Samman this year. Rashmi Arya founded the Shrimad Dayanand Arya Kanya Gurukul in Narangpur, Meerut, on October 22, 2007. Her Gurukul is a perfect blend of traditional Vedic rituals and modern education. Here, girls are taught Sanskrit, Vedic education, havan, and music, as well as spoken English and computer skills. The Gurukul's students have made their mark nationally and internationally in activities such as board exams, Gita and Ashtadhyayi competitions, yoga, archery, and jump rope. Currently, this Gurukul provides completely free education to over 600 underprivileged girls.

Dr. Sudhanshu Singh honored in the field of agriculture 

Dr. Sudhanshu Singh of Varanasi was awarded the Uttar Pradesh Gaurav Samman this year for his outstanding work in the field of agriculture. Dr. Sudhanshu Singh studied agriculture at Acharya Narendra Dev University of Agriculture and Technology, Ayodhya, and received a gold medal. He then earned a PhD from IRRI in the Philippines. His research on a sub-1 rice variety that thrives even in floods earned him recognition not only in the country but also abroad. He is currently the Director of ISARC, Varanasi.

Over his 29 years of experience, he has led major international projects for organizations such as the World Bank, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), and USAID. His work has played a key role in advancing sustainable agriculture.

Let us tell you that Uttar Pradesh Gaurav Samman is given by the Culture Department to those people who have brought glory to the state by doing excellent work in fields like art, agriculture, science, literature, education, entrepreneurship, sports and social service.

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