UP CM Yogi Adityanath announces scholarship honouring Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], September 18 (HBTV): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath hailed the achievement of Lucknow-born astronaut and Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as a matter of pride for the state and the entire nation, calling his journey an inspiration for the youth.

After four decades, an Indian once again travelled to space, and this historic opportunity came to Shukla, who was felicitated at a civic reception in Lok Bhavan on Monday, according to an official release.

During the event, CM Yogi honoured Shukla with a shawl and memento, while Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brijesh Pathak and Mayor Sushma Kharkwal extended felicitations to his family. A short film on Shukla's space mission, during which he orbited the Earth 320 times in 18 days aboard the ISS, was also screened.

According to the release, the Chief Minister announced a scholarship in Shukla's name for students pursuing careers in space technology and directed the State’s Science and Technology Department to draw upon his expertise. Highlighting that Uttar Pradesh now offers courses in space technology in more than a dozen institutions, CM Yogi said this reflects the state's growing role in India’s development journey.

‘Three to four years ago, there were no courses, syllabi, degrees, diplomas, or certificate programmes in space technology in any university or institute of the state. Today, more than a dozen technical institutions are running such courses, reflecting Uttar Pradesh's growing role in India's development journey. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set the goal of making India a developed nation by 2047, and to achieve this, we must remain open to every area of progress. Shubhanshu Shukla's father served in the state secretariat, and by following his path, today his son has made not only Uttar Pradesh but the entire country proud. Orbiting the Earth 320 times in 18 days of space travel, Shubhanshu has shown the importance and purpose of this remarkable journey,’ the Chief Minister said.

He underlined that Shukla's space experience will aid in addressing climate change, floods, droughts, agricultural crises, and disaster management through advanced technology. He added that Shukla's success marks a step towards the upcoming Gaganyaan mission in 2027 and the expansion of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education opportunities.

‘Shubhanshu Shukla's journey is not just a personal milestone but a source of inspiration and direction for our youth. His experience will help Uttar Pradesh and India face future challenges and harness space technology for progress,’ CM Yogi said.

The Chief Minister said he had a conversation with ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan about space travel, during which Shukla's mission and future experiments were discussed. He added, ‘In just 18 days, he toured the entire Earth, an incredible experience for any citizen. His achievements will serve as a lasting source of inspiration for the youth of Uttar Pradesh and the entire nation.’ Shukla also interacted with young people about pursuing careers in space technology, telling them that opportunities now exist that never did before.

Astronaut Shukla shared his own experiences from space, describing the effects of microgravity on the human body.

‘When you reach the space station for the first time, your body experiences microgravity. All the blood rushes to the head, making it swell. The heart slows down as it no longer works against gravity. Even the contents of your stomach start floating, leaving you confused about what's happening inside. You don't feel hungry, and survival itself becomes a challenge. We are sustaining life in a place where it shouldn't exist—amid vacuum, extreme temperatures, and no air. Yet, human engineering has made it possible. India is on its way, and when we launch our first mission, we will be the fourth nation in the world with this capability,’ he said, according to the release.

ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan praised CM Yogi’s leadership during the programme, stating that Uttar Pradesh's rapid development has become a source of inspiration for other states. He noted that under the Chief Minister’s initiatives, the state is touching new heights in multiple sectors, which is a matter of pride not only for Uttar Pradesh but for the entire country.

On this occasion, BJP State President Bhupendra Chaudhary, Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brijesh Pathak, Minister Suresh Khanna, Minister Anil Kumar, Minister Girish Chandra Yadav, Minister Ajit Pal, Minister Manohar Lal Kori, Mayor Sushma Kharkwal, MP Brijlal, and Principal Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad were present.

(ANI)