27th January, Bengaluru, India — This Republic Day, India’s tricolour rose nearly 1 lakh feet above Earth, carried not by rockets or governments, but by the ingenuity of a young Indian technologist. Karnataka-based tech enthusiast Soham M Rai (@zikiguy) hoisted the national flag to the edge of space using a high-altitude balloon—an effort rooted in science, precision engineering, and quiet national pride.
Zepto supported the mission by amplifying it across its platforms—where the first video has already crossed 12 million views—and by extending financial backing to help execute the attempt to set a new benchmark for the highest-ever flag hoisting.
The mission involved a hydrogen-filled balloon carrying the tricolour, cameras, tracking systems, and recovery mechanisms into the stratosphere, capturing a rare view of the flag against near space. All necessary approvals were secured from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
At a time when Indian technology is quietly making its mark globally, this effort stands as a reminder of what’s possible when curiosity, capability, and country come together—proving that India’s innovation story is still rising.
Link to videos:
Part 1: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTxowj7EhJF/?igsh=ZDg3MXd3MWtnYnpu
Part 2: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DT9r13VksjQ/?igsh=MWowYWx2MWdwa2RobA%3D%3D
