UP CM announces scholarship in astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s name for space tech students

Highlighting that UP now offers courses in space technology in over a dozen institutions, Adityanath 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,” the CM said.

He also underlined that Shukla’s space experience will aid in addressing climate change, floods, droughts, agricultural crises, and disaster management through advanced technology.

He also said 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.

“His 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,” the CM said.

A short film on Shukla’s space mission was also screened.

During the event, Shukla shared his experiences from space, explaining the impact 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.”

On his return to Lucknow, Shukla said the warmth of the welcome exceeded even that in Delhi. “Today, I truly understood the meaning of ‘Smile, you are in Lucknow’. More than 2,000 selfies were taken here alone. The momentum created after my mission should begin right here in Uttar Pradesh. My message to children is that by 2040, one of you will surely go to the moon — and I will be with you in this competition.”

ISRO Chairman V Narayanan praised the CM’s leadership, saying that the rapid development in Uttar Pradesh has become a source of inspiration for other states. He noted that under CM Adityanath’s initiatives and schemes, UP is touching new heights in multiple sectors, and the transformation is a matter of pride not only for the state but for the entire country.

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