Tag: Indian Astronaut

Events in Goa

“Sky Was Never the Limit”: Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Inspires Students at Goa Book Festival 2026

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Day 3 of the Goa Book Festival 2026 witnessed a powerful convergence of inspiration, intellect and imagination, highlighted by an electrifying interaction with astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, AC, who addressed over 1,200 school students and took them on a journey beyond Earth.


“I travelled to space with a billion hearts with me. The sky was never the limit—not for me, not for you,” Shukla said, reflecting on his historic mission to the International Space Station. In a session moderated by Yuvraj Malik, Director, National Book Trust, India, the astronaut spoke candidly about fear, discipline, perseverance and the realities of life in space.

Sharing rare personal moments, he recalled the anxiety he felt during launch, likening it to opening an examination paper despite months of preparation. He described the intense physical strain of take-off, the mental challenge of isolation away from family, and the long process of relearning how to walk after returning to Earth. Through humour and videos, he brought space closer to students—sharing stories of playing basketball in zero gravity, walking on ceilings, momentarily forgetting gravity after returning, and listening to Vande Mataram while heading to the launch pad.

Answering questions from students, Shukla spoke about missing home-cooked food, coping with separation from family, and the importance of focusing on the present. He encouraged students to dream big, stay resilient and see setbacks as part of growth. Reflecting on identity, he said that beyond borders and planets, humanity shares a single home—Earth.

He also spoke about India’s space ambitions, including the Gaganyaan mission and plans for India’s own space station, telling students that the future of the nation’s space programme would be shaped by their aspirations.

The day also featured a felicitation ceremony, where Padma Shri Vinayak Khedekar and 52 eminent literary figures from Goa—including writers, poets, novelists and emerging authors—were honoured. The ceremony was attended by Prof. Milind Sudhakar Marathe, Chairman, NBT; Dr. Kiran Thakur, Chief Patron of the Goa Book Festival; and Kiran Kendre, Editor of Kishor magazine, among others.

At the Author’s Corner, the panel discussion “Konkani, Marathi, English: Multilingual Future of Goa” explored Goa’s layered linguistic identity, emphasising multilingualism as a lived cultural strength rather than a conflict. Speakers highlighted dialogue, balance and adaptability as key to preserving Goa’s linguistic harmony.

In “Ancient Stories, Modern Dreams,” author Shantanu Gupta reinterpreted the Ramayana as a framework for leadership, ethics and entrepreneurship, drawing parallels between Rama’s vanvaas and modern crises that demand resilience, responsibility and integrity.

The session “History as a Living Conversation” saw Mohan Shete, in conversation with Sanjay Chakanne, bring history alive through engaging narratives drawn from Anandmath and episodes from the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. By recounting battles such as Basrur and Palkhed, Shete reinforced the idea of history as a living dialogue shaping collective identity.

Filmmaker Chandraprakash Dwivedi, in conversation with Dev Kanya Thakur during “From Text to Screen: The Art of Adaptation,” reflected on transforming literature and history into visual narratives, emphasising research, inference and creative intuition. The session was attended by Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar, who later felicitated Dwivedi.

The Children’s Corner buzzed with energy as nearly 2,500 students participated in dance, movement and storytelling workshops. Activities blended learning with creativity, including digital literacy through the Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya platform, culminating with a staged presentation of the Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Saga.

Cultural evenings added vibrancy to the festival, with instrumental ensemble Maluhaa presenting immersive compositions blending Indian and Western classical traditions, followed by powerful folk and martial art performances by Team Mammalan from Puducherry, led by Padma Shri awardee Master Kalia Mamani K. Palanivel.

Day 3 of the Goa Book Festival 2026 stood out as a celebration of curiosity, courage and cultural continuity—where space science met storytelling, and ancient wisdom inspired modern dreams.

National

Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Arrives in India to a Grand Hero’s Welcome in Lucknow

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Intern Queeny George M.H , Team Allycaral

Indian Astronaut and test pilot Shubhanshu Shukla was welcomed in grandeur upon his return to India, following his successful space mission with the Axiom-4 crew. The streets of Lucknow came alive with celebrations as citizens gathered in large numbers to express their pride and admiration for the astronaut’s remarkable journey. The 39-year-old pilot, who represented India aboard the international space mission, received widespread love and praise, echoing through the heart of his hometown.

Shukla’s mission, launched on June 25, 2025, marked a historic moment for Indian spaceflight. Aboard the Crew Dragon spacecraft named Grace, launched atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, the Axiom-4 mission took off in collaboration with Axiom Space, NASA, and SpaceX. Alongside Shukla, the crew included Commander Peggy Whitson from the USA, and Mission Specialists Sławosz Uznanski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. This mission represented the first government-sponsored human spaceflight in over four decades for India, Poland, and Hungary.

Spanning approximately 18 days, the mission concluded with the spacecraft’s undocking on July 14, 2025. During their time aboard the International Space Station (ISS), the crew conducted over 60 groundbreaking scientific studies, exploring areas such as crop growth in space, the behavior of cyanobacteria in microgravity, and the physiological changes experienced by the human body during extended space travel. These experiments were not only critical for future space exploration but also contributed to expanding our understanding of human adaptation to space environments.

The return of Shubhanshu Shukla is more than a celebration of individual achievement—it is a symbol of India’s growing presence in international space endeavors. With the success of the Axiom-4 mission, India takes a proud step forward in global scientific advancement, and Shukla stands as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring scientists and explorers across the nation.

As the city of Lucknow echoed with cheers, banners, and patriotic pride, it was clear that Shukla’s return marked a historic chapter not only in India’s space journey but also in the hearts of millions who look up to the stars with dreams of discovery.

National

Back From Space: Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Meets PM Modi, Discusses India’s Space Future

Tanisha Cardozo

August 19, 2025 – New Delhi: After a successful 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 crew, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla returned to India and met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Their conversation marked a significant moment for India’s aspirations in space exploration, centered around the upcoming Gaganyaan mission and India’s proposed Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2035.

Shukla expressed confidence that India could lead a collaborative space station in the future, much like the International Space Station led by the US, Russia, Europe, Japan, and Canada. He noted the global excitement around India’s Gaganyaan mission and shared that his crewmates had requested to attend its launch.

“We have the ability and the position to be in a leadership role in a space station led by India,” Shukla said.

During the meeting, PM Modi recalled assigning “homework” to Shukla — to learn and document everything that could help future astronauts. Shukla shared how even astronauts on the ISS teased him about getting such a special task from his country’s leader. The documentation is expected to be valuable for ISRO’s astronaut training pipeline.

In a symbolic moment, Shukla gifted PM Modi the Tricolour he carried into space and the official Axiom-4 mission patch. The patch features Earth at the center of a pentagon, the four astronauts’ names and national flags, and seven stars representing the continents.

Shukla detailed his experiment in growing crops aboard the ISS in a water-based dish. Sprouting in just eight days, the experiment offered hope not just for long-duration space missions but for food security challenges on Earth.

“Food is a big challenge in space. But this research may help solve problems here on Earth too,” Shukla said.

Describing his physical transformation in space, Shukla said that adaptation is required both while reaching and returning from orbit.

“I was feeling okay but I could not walk… the brain has to rewire,” he explained.

Shukla reflected on how Indian children today see space as a real career option — unlike his own childhood, when India lacked a consistent astronaut programme.

“Children no longer just dream — they know becoming an astronaut is possible,” he shared.

Looking ahead, PM Modi emphasized the need for a strong astronaut pool of 40–50 individuals to support India’s ambitions. Shukla’s insights, training, and documentation are set to play a crucial role in the Gaganyaan mission, scheduled for launch in the coming years.

Shukla, who had been recovering in Houston after landing back on Earth in July, arrived in India to a warm reception at Delhi Airport by Union Science Minister Jitendra Singh and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.

His journey marks not just the return of a national hero, but the takeoff of India’s next giant leap in space.

National

“Phone Felt Heavy, Dropped Laptop”: Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Shares Post-Space Mission Challenges

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Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, recently back from a landmark space mission, is sharing surprisingly human insights about what happens when the thrill of zero gravity meets the weight of reality—literally.

In a candid post-mission reflection, Shukla revealed,

“My phone felt heavy. I dropped my laptop the first time I picked it up. I was re-learning gravity.”

While much of the public attention is on the launch, orbit, and re-entry, what follows is an equally complex journey—re-acclimatization to Earth’s gravitational pull. Known as space adaptation syndrome, astronauts often face balance issues, weakened muscles, and coordination challenges after days or weeks in space.

Shukla described simple everyday activities becoming difficult. “You’re used to floating. Now, everything pulls at you,” he said. Holding a phone or bending to pick something up wasn’t just physically demanding—it required conscious recalibration of motor skills.

Beyond the physical, he spoke of the mental shift:

“In space, your perspective changes—literally and emotionally. You see Earth from a distance, and it rewires how you think.”

His honest narrative brings attention to the need for post-mission psychological and physiological support, a growing focus in astronaut training globally.

India, with its space ambitions expanding through missions like Gaganyaan, continues to prepare for human spaceflight in deeper ways. Stories like Shukla’s offer valuable insight into the real human experience of space—its wonders, and its challenges.

As Shukla continues to recover and inspire, his story serves as a reminder: the mission may end on Earth, but the journey continues within.

International

Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Returns to Earth After Historic Space Mission

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New Delhi, July 2025 – In a moment that has stirred national pride and emotion, Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla returned to Earth after an inspiring 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission.

The mission, a collaboration between Axiom Space, NASA, and international space agencies including ISRO, aimed at advancing microgravity research, space-based technology experiments, and future commercial spaceflight training.

Shukla’s return was marked by a successful splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, where recovery teams quickly retrieved the capsule. The astronaut was seen smiling and waving as he was helped out of the spacecraft and later reunited with his family in an emotional moment that was broadcast live.

Hailing from India’s space research hub in Bengaluru, Shukla became a national icon as one of the first Indians to board the ISS as part of a private commercial spaceflight mission. He conducted multiple experiments during his time in orbit, including studies on space agriculture, radiation impact on human cells, and zero-gravity engineering trials.

The Government of India and ISRO officials welcomed his return, calling it a “milestone moment for India’s space ambitions.”

“Shubhanshu’s mission represents the next step in India’s human spaceflight journey. He has made the nation proud,” said an ISRO spokesperson.

With India gearing up for its own Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission, Shukla’s experience is expected to play a pivotal role in training future astronauts and advancing India’s commercial space initiatives.

As celebrations continue, Shubhanshu Shukla’s homecoming reminds the world that India is not just reaching for the stars—it’s touching them.