Shubhanshu Shukla Returns to Lucknow, Inspires Students at Gomti Book Festival

Indian Air Force Group Captain and astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla returned to his hometown Lucknow on Tuesday and visited Lucknow University as part of the ongoing Gomti Book Festival. During his interaction with students, Shukla spoke about his book The Second Orbit and shared experiences from his journey in the field of space exploration. He also encouraged young students to take an active interest in science, technology and India's expanding space programme.

Addressing a packed gathering of enthusiastic students, Shukla said he was delighted to return to Lucknow, a city that holds a special place in his life. He said his visit to the Gomti Book Festival gave him an opportunity to connect directly with children and discuss his journey with them. According to Shukla, such interactions are important because India's space programme is entering an exciting phase, and young people need to understand the country's achievements and future ambitions in the sector.

Shukla said direct conversations with students can help create awareness about the opportunities emerging in India's space industry. He expressed hope that learning about the country's progress would encourage children to develop an interest in science and eventually contribute to India's efforts in space exploration. The astronaut also praised the confidence and curiosity of today's students, particularly their willingness to ask challenging questions. He said this quality should be encouraged and guided in the right direction. With access to information and opportunities growing rapidly, Shukla stressed that young people need proper guidance to identify their interests and use their abilities productively.

He also urged students to develop a stronger sense of responsibility towards the country. Shukla said young people should not believe that bringing change is someone else's responsibility. Instead, they should recognise their own potential to contribute to India's development and take responsibility for shaping the nation's future.

Reflecting on his own life, Shukla said his journey began in Lucknow and that returning to the city felt like coming full circle. He told the students that he had also started out as a student sitting in a classroom, much like those attending his interaction at Lucknow University. His journey, he said, demonstrates that ambitious dreams can become reality when young people receive the right opportunities, guidance and encouragement.

Shukla's book The Second Orbit is an attempt to share his experiences with readers across the country. He had earlier explained that writing the book was a way of reaching people in different parts of India, something that would not be practically possible through personal visits alone. Through the book, he hopes to inspire more people to explore space science and astronomy and consider contributing to India's growing capabilities in the sector.

Shukla has gained national attention after becoming the first Indian astronaut to travel to the International Space Station as part of Axiom Space's Ax-4 mission. His achievement has also become an example of the growing cooperation between India and the United States in the field of human spaceflight. US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor met Shukla and highlighted his journey as an example of the expanding US-India partnership in space. Gor noted that Shukla's training in the United States and his participation in the Ax-4 mission demonstrated the potential of cooperation between the two countries in space exploration and technology.

The US ambassador has also recently spoken about expanding cooperation between India and the United States in areas such as artificial intelligence, trade, space technology and defence manufacturing. These developments come as both countries continue to strengthen their strategic and technological partnerships. Former ISRO Chairman S. Somanath has also spoken positively about The Second Orbit, describing the book as a record of Shukla's journey and the circumstances that made India's participation in the Axiom-4 mission possible. The book also connects Shukla's personal experiences with India's broader ambitions in space.

For Shukla, his visit to Lucknow University was therefore more than a book discussion. It allowed him to return to the city where his journey began and speak directly to the generation that could eventually take India's space programme to new heights. His message to the students was simple: curiosity, responsibility and determination can open the way to opportunities that may once have seemed impossible.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.