Chandigarh, Dec 6 (LatestNewsX) – The four‑day India International Science Festival just opened in Panchkula, a short distance from here, on Saturday. Kids were buzzing with excitement about seeing Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla in person.
During his talk, the Group Captain shared stories from his spaceflight, saying, “The view of India from space is breathtaking, and the country appears to be the best in the world.” He added that over a nearly 20‑day mission he carried out a range of experiments, gathering essential data for the upcoming Gaganyaan project that will further India’s human spaceflight ambitions. This work included studies on India‑specific food, medicines, and cutting‑edge technologies.
“The pace at which India is advancing in science and tech is remarkable, and it fills every Indian with pride that we’re becoming increasingly self‑reliant in these fields,” Shukla noted, urging young people—especially the children—to pursue science and space research with focus and perseverance.
He stressed that “the responsibility of realizing the vision of a developed India by 2047 rests on the shoulders of the youth; when they progress, the nation progresses.” Shukla highlighted the budding enthusiasm among kids as a positive sign and praised teachers for guiding students toward aspirations like becoming astronauts.
In an interactive session, the Group Captain answered a flurry of questions from pupils and youth with enthusiasm. He recalled the moment in 2018 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced from the Red Fort that an Indian child would soon go to space—a statement that inspired him to chase his own space dreams. From then on, he has been working consistently toward that goal.
Shukla emphasized that no matter the obstacles, persistent effort leads to success. When a student asked whether you could become an astronaut only through the Indian Air Force, he explained a new framework is in the works that will allow professionals from various sectors—not just the armed forces—to become astronauts.
The Group Captain also credited Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, India’s first astronaut, as a major source of courage that helped him reach this milestone. He is optimistic that many more Indians will venture into space soon. He also shared updates on India’s serious push on the Gaganyaan mission and the successful launch of the Aditya‑L1 solar‑observation mission.
vg/uk
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