Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla says, “The only thing that is required is perseverance”: Here’s what students can learn from him

When Shubhanshu Shukla, now a name etched among role models for students, walked through the corridors of his alma mater, City Montessori School, it was more than a homecoming; it was a celebration of how determination can transform dreams into history.

For every young student, it was a reminder to believe in the magic of dreaming and the power of hard work to turn those visions into reality. Fresh from spending 18 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS), Shukla stood before the next generation with a message that was as personal as it was profound: “The only thing that is required is perseverance.”

From fatigue to inspiration

Addressing students, Shukla shared a moment of vulnerability that became a lesson in resilience.

“Before coming here, I had to catch an early morning flight. I woke up at 4. I had an engagement yesterday and could only sleep around 12. I was very tired sitting on the flight, even in the car when we were coming from the airport. And then I saw you kids on the streets. I was told you were there since 7:30 in the morning. I saw you sweating, smiling, and so excited, and all my tiredness just went away.

”His words carried both nostalgia and perspective. Reflecting on his own days at the school, he said, “I also remember a time when I used to stand in these parades holding a flag.

I never liked it. But it was a very different feeling today. I did not see any of you in despair. I saw all of you smiling, all of you so excited. So, thank you so much.For students, his story was more than a motivational speech, it was living proof that challenges, fatigue, and setbacks are temporary, but perseverance builds a legacy.

Charting a course from Lucknow to the stars

Shukla’s own trajectory illustrates the depth of that perseverance. Born in Lucknow, he nurtured an early fascination with aviation and space. His academic journey took him through the National Defence Academy, where he completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science, followed by a Master of Technology in Aerospace Engineering at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru. This blend of military training and scientific education became the bedrock of his career in the Indian Air Force and later as an astronaut.With over 2,000 hours of flying experience on aircraft such as the Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, and Jaguar, Shukla earned his stripes as a combat and test pilot. His selection in 2019 for India’s Gaganyaan mission marked a turning point, placing him among the few chosen to represent the nation in human spaceflight. Training in Moscow, Bengaluru, and Europe, he prepared rigorously for the technical and physical demands of life in space.

Making history with the ISS mission

Now poised for Axiom Mission 4, a joint venture with NASA, SpaceX, and ISRO, Shukla will spend two weeks aboard the ISS conducting pioneering experiments, including studying the germination of fenugreek and mung seeds in microgravity.

The mission, coming 41 years after Rakesh Sharma’s iconic spaceflight, positions Shukla not just as an astronaut but as a torchbearer of India’s renewed role in space exploration.

Lessons for students

What can students learn from his journey? At its heart lies Shukla’s unwavering belief in perseverance. His story underscores that talent alone is not enough; it must be paired with discipline, consistency, and resilience. “I was not as talented as you are,” said Shukla on sta.ge.

His acknowledgment of not being “as talented” as the students he saw on stage serves as a humbling reminder: Growth is not about starting with brilliance, but about cultivating persistence.In an age where distractions are many and setbacks often dissuade the young, Shukla’s words become more than advice; they serve as a roadmap. “Never give up,” he told them, and his life exemplifies that conviction.

A symbol of India’s rising ambition

As he prepares to enter space, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla embodies India’s ambition, grit, and global aspirations. Yet, his return to his school proves that even those reaching the stars remain grounded in the lessons of their formative years. For students watching him today, the message is clear: With perseverance, no dream is too distant.(With inputs from PTI)