Srinagar: The skies over Srinagar may have been grey, but on Day 3 of the Chinar Book Festival, the atmosphere at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) was nothing short of electric. Undeterred by heavy rain, children, students, families and teachers from across the Valley streamed in with excitement to meet Indian astronaut, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, AC.
With bright eyes and curious minds, the over 2,200 children cheered and applauded as the space hero took the stage and spoke with warmth and humour. In a session moderated by Shri Amit Wanchoo, Chief Convenor, Chinar Book Festival, Group Captain Shukla narrated his inspiring journey from being an Indian Air Force pilot to becoming the first Indian to visit the International Space Station.
From the start, he made it clear that his journey to space was not his alone, calling it the journey of the entire nation. He spoke candidly about training for five years for his 20 days in space, urging students to bank on discipline to help them succeed. During the session, the astronaut broke down complex scientific concepts using simple and candid anecdotes, showing video clips from his astronaut training and time in space.
Recalling the moment his spacecraft’s engines ignited, he admitted that he “forgot all his training” likening the experience to the anxiety of seeing an examination question paper despite weeks of preparation. He also shared unforgettable moments like growing taller in space due to zero gravity, walking on walls inside the ISS, dropping his laptop on Earth after returning because he forgot gravity exists and relearning how to walk after returning.
Sharing the story of his mission commander, US astronaut Dr. Peggy Whitson, Group Captain Shukla spoke of her resilience in overcoming nine rejections before reaching space. He noted that she has since spent more than 600 days in space, the highest by any American astronaut, and described her journey as proof that persistence ultimately triumphs over failure.
He also spoke about India’s Gaganyaan mission, an India space station and the mission of sending an Indian to the Moon by 2040. He added that India’s journey to space will be driven by the young generation who choose curiosity over self-doubt and that someone sitting in the room could one day carry India’s tricolour beyond Earth. “Sky was never the limit, not for me, not for you,” he said.
The highlight of the session was the lively interaction with students, whose excitement was evident as dozens of hands shot up the moment the floor was opened for questions. From life aboard the International Space Station and the challenges of astronaut training to India’s future in space exploration, the children asked thoughtful and imaginative questions. Group Captain Shukla responded to each one with patience, wit and humility, turning every answer into a lesson on curiosity and the joy of discovery.
At the Authors’ Corner, an engaging session was organised on the theme ‘Trilingual Formula and Multilingual Education under National Education Policy 2020’. Professor Afshar Alam, Former Vice Chancellor, Jamia Hamdard University, New Delhi, spoke on how the implementation of National Education Policy 2020 has changed the pattern of language choice for students. Professor Naseer Iqbal, Registrar, University of Kashmir, highlighted the implementation of the new education policy at Kashmir University and said that a one-year PG course is also being started at Kashmir University according to the NEP 2020, he said.
National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language Director Dr. Shams Equbal said that all the languages of India are our own languages and they have great hopes for Urdu from Kashmir. The discussion was moderated by Professor Ijaz Muhammad Sheikh, Linguist and Former Head of Department of Linguistics, University of Kashmir, who inquired about the application and implementation of this policy.
As part of Day 3’s cultural performances, a magnificent Mushaira was organised, in which well-known and respected poets from different parts of the country like Mr. Rafiq Raz, Mr. Popular Merithi, Ms. Rukhsana Jabeen, Professor Shafaq Sopoori, Mr. Noman Shoq, Professor Ahmed Mahfouz, Professor Satish Vimal and Dr. Shafi Ayub presented their beautiful poems. The day also saw lively performances by Vitasta Folk Theatre, Kashmir Valley Theatre, Young Dramatics Society and Malik Badshah Folk Theatre. To round out the evening, Shazzia Bashir, Dr Deepali Watal and Ishrat Hussian Shah mesmerised the crowds with their melodious singing performances.
