A wave of joy and celebatory news struck as Malayalam actor Lena announced on social media her marriage to Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, an Indian Air Force Fighter Pilot who carved his name in history as one of the four astronauts selected for India’s pioneering Gaganyaan mission. The nuptials took place in an intimate, traditional ceremony on January 17. Lena held back the announcement in compliance with official confidentiality, releasing the news to coincide with a national announcement.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on February 27, 2024, awarded the First Indian Astronaut Wings to Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair in a ceremony that celebrated this landmark moment for India, especially marking a point of pride for Kerala, the state Nair and Lena hail from. Nair was acknowledged along with other illustrious Group Captains – Angad Pratap, Ajit Krishnan, and Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla – as they step into the final stages of preparation for the Gaganyaan mission, India’s first-ever human space flight mission. This announcement by the Prime Minister was particularly underscored by the emphasis on indigenous manufacturing – with a vast majority of Gaganyaan’s components being made in India.
While Nair’s family from Nenmara in Palakkad district has kept a low profile, residents of the town have expressed their excitement, taking pride in their local hero’s dual milestone. Group Captain Nair not only steps ahead in his personal life with his union with Lena but also takes a giant leap for Indian space exploration as part of a groundbreaking venture that witnesses India’s stride into manned space missions.