PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun
Group captain Shubhanshu Shukla known for the ‘Gaganyan mission’ has said that India’s youth have the potential to take the country to new heights in global space research. He was interacting with the students at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Rishikesh on Friday.
Shukla motivated the students to pursue careers in space science, innovation and other challenging fields, he emphasised that even the most difficult goals can be achieved through determination, a positive mind-set and persistent effort.
Shukla narrated his journey from his school days to becoming an Indian Air Force officer and eventually an astronaut. Through a video presentation, he explained the astronaut selection process, training for gravity and microgravity, physical and mental preparation, medical emergency training, mission launch procedures, medical care in space and the safe return to Earth. He explained that prolonged stays in space affect muscles, bones and the body’s balance system. Therefore, after returning to Earth, astronauts undergo rehabilitation to retrain their muscles and restore balance and coordination.
Sharing his experience of travelling hundreds of kilometres above Earth to the International Space Station (ISS), he said that science is a field driven by curiosity, discipline and dedication. During the interactive session, he also answered questions from students representing different schools and colleges.
Welcoming Group Captain Shukla, executive director of AIIMS Rishikesh Meenu Singh described him as a true national hero. She said that by representing India in space, he has made the entire nation proud.
