First Indian who went to the space was Sqdn Leader Rakesh Sharma.
Rakesh Sharma was a pilot with the Indian Airforce and was selected on 20 September 1982 as astronaut to go into space by a joint program between Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Soviet Intercosmos space program.
He was awarded Ashok Chakra by the Indian government along with other two astronaut who accompanied him. Soviet government also awarded him honorary Soviet citizenship.