New Delhi, 17 January (H.S.): Indian astronaut and Axiom-4 mission pilot Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla inaugurated the Virtual Reality Theatre and space exhibition at the National Science Centre (NSC) in Pragati Maidan on Saturday, January 17. The exhibition will run until January 30.
According to an NSC statement, the space exhibition, titled From Earth to Orbit: Exploring Space Together, showcases India's rich heritage and future vision in astronomy and space exploration. As part of the event, a special interactive session titled Meet the Astronaut was organized for around 400 school students.
As the chief guest, Shubhanshu Shukla addressed students from 22 schools in Delhi-NCR. He discussed training for space missions, the physical effects of microgravity, and the challenges of space travel, while sharing visual clips related to space.
During the session, students asked questions about lifestyle in space, and parents received career guidance. He revealed that he entered the field through the selection process, though it was not his initial career goal. The dialogue aimed to inspire young students by highlighting India's growing role in space exploration, human spaceflight, and global scientific collaboration.
Throughout the session, students gained direct insights into life in space and its challenges. They participated in an interactive Q&A on future space missions and career opportunities, with opportunities to converse directly with experts, fostering scientific thinking through experiential learning.
NSC Director Vijay Shankar Sharma stated that the primary objective of such programs is to develop scientific temperament among the youth.Group Director Anurag Kumar Sinha from the Human Space Flight Centre remarked that this initiative not only provides entertainment but also marks a significant step toward inspiring India's future scientists and astronauts.Tickets for the exhibition, open to visitors until January 30, are priced at up to ₹80 for adults and ₹30 for children.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
