Latest news with #Shukla
The Hindu
4 hours ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Axiom-4 mission: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla commences research activities aboard ISS
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who is aboard the International Space Station (ISS) has commenced research activities at the orbiting laboratory According to Axiom Space the crew members are fully immersed in their mission aboard the ISS having transitioned smoothly from arrival protocols to hands-on research. Axiom Space said that Shux (Group Captain Shukla mission call sign) spent time in the Life Sciences Glovebox (LSG) working on the Myogenesis experiment. 'This study aims to uncover the biological pathways behind skeletal muscle degradation in space—a major challenge for astronauts. By identifying these mechanisms, researchers hope to develop targeted therapies that could not only protect space travelers but also aid people suffering from muscle-degenerative diseases on Earth,' Axion Space said. ISRO has shortlisted seven microgravity research experiments proposed by Indian (PIs) from various national R&D laboratories and academic institutions which Group Captain Shukla would be conducting during his 14-day stay at the ISS. Myogenesis is one of the them which has been proposed by the Bengaluru based Institute of Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (InStem). ISRO has said the experience gained through this effort in implementation of the seven experiments is expected to nurture a microgravity research ecosystem in India resulting in the induction of advanced microgravity experiments in various disciplines in the Indian space programme. In addition to the seven experiments ISRO and NASA will also be participating in five joint science investigations and two in-orbit STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) demonstrations. Axiom said that the crew initiated the Cerebral Hemodynamics study, completing the first session after installing the necessary software. 'Using ultrasound technology, this research explores how blood circulates in the brain under microgravity conditions. The findings could improve our understanding of cardiovascular adaptation in space and inform medical diagnostics and treatments for conditions like stroke and hypertension on Earth,' it said. The Axiom-4 mission research complement includes around 60 scientific studies and activities representing 31 countries, including the U.S., India, Poland, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Nigeria, UAE, and nations across Europe.
NDTV
4 hours ago
- Science
- NDTV
"Saare Jahan Se" To "Bharat Mata Ki Jai": 2 PMs, 2 Astronauts 41 Years Apart
New Delhi: Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, speaking from the International Space Station (ISS), looked down upon the subcontinent and said, " Jab pehli baar Bharat ko dekha, Bharat sach mein bohat bhavya dikhta hain." (When I first saw India, it looked truly grand.) It sent goosebumps down the spines of a billion citizens. More than that, it echoed across four decades of Indian space history. Because India had heard something like it before. Back in 1984, Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian in space, had answered Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's now-historic question, " Upar se Bharat kaisa dikhta hai aapko?" (How does India look from up there?) with words that would etch themselves into the Indian psyche forever. " Saare Jahan Se Achcha."(Better than the entire world.) Rakesh Sharma And Indira Gandhi In April 1984, aboard the Soviet space station Salyut 7, Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian to travel to space as part of a joint Indo-Soviet mission. When Indira Gandhi asked how the view from space was, Mr Sharma's reply wasn't rehearsed. " Ji main bina jhijhak ke keh sakta hu, saare jahan se accha." (I can say this without hesitation, 'better than the whole world.) He had recited the line from Allama Iqbal's famous patriotic song. The moment became a historical bookmark in India's post-Independence imagination. Every schoolchild learned about it. Every aspiring scientist saw new horizons. Shubhanshu Shukla And Narendra Modi Fast forward to June 2025. The world has changed. So has India. No longer only a spacefaring hopeful, India is now building its own human spaceflight programme, planning its Bhartiya Antariksha Station, and setting its sights on the Moon. And now, aboard the ISS, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, a 39-year-old Indian Air Force pilot, became the first Indian to reach the ISS. In an 18-minute video call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he reflected on the moment that had brought him there. "From here, you don't see borders. You see one Earth," Mr Shukla told PM Modi. "India looks huge from here, bigger than on any map." PM Modi said, "Today you are farthest from the motherland but closest to the hearts of 140 crore Indians." The two discussed everything from microgravity to meditation. Shukla described how small tasks like drinking water or sleeping become difficult. He had to tie his feet to keep from drifting during their call. There were jokes too, about carrot and moong dal halwa floating in microgravity, shared among international colleagues aboard the station. "Everyone liked it very much," Mr Shukla said. "They want to visit India someday." At last, Mr Shukla declared, "This is not just my achievement. This is a collective leap for our country." And ended with, " Bharat Mata ki Jai." Now, Shubhanshu Shukla floats in the vast stillness of orbit, with the Tiranga affixed beside him.
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
50 years of Emergency: ‘At that time, truth itself was censored'; press silenced & journalists jailed, fear gripped newsrooms
Veteran journalist JP Shukla recalls how truth was suppressed, dissent was stifled, and journalists faced arrest LUCKNOW: Referring to press censorship and the role of the press during Emergency, BJP veteran LK Advani once famously remarked, 'When the media was asked to bend, it crawled'. This quote captures the dark chapter in Indian journalism when the press surrendered before the state. Veteran journalist JP Shukla, who served with both 'The Hindu' and the Press Trust of India (PTI), recalled the grim picture of press freedom during 1975-77. 'It was a time when truth itself was censored, and journalists were either silenced or turned into targets,' he said. On the night of June 25, 1975, when the Emergency was declared, newspapers across Delhi were forced to shut down. 'No newspaper was printed the next day,' said Shukla. In Lucknow, news agency services went silent. What followed was complete press censorship. 'Every news item had to be submitted to censor office under the information department before publication. Original stories filed by reporters were not published, instead pre-approved agency copies with the byline mentioning 'Staff Reporter' became the norm,' he said. 'Initially, censorship was limited to news content, and many editors used the editorial space to express dissent. However, once this was noticed, even editorial freedom was revoked. Some newspapers protested by leaving editorials blank or printing them with black borders. A few journalists and editors were arrested. One editor in Varanasi openly criticised the PM and was jailed with the publisher,' he said. Shukla recalled an incident involving Chaudhary Charan Singh. 'He delivered a three-hour speech in the Assembly but the newspapers were allowed to print only one line: 'Chaudhary Charan Singh criticised the govt'. The rest was censored,' he said. 'Many journalists went underground to avoid arrest. PK Roy of 'The Hindu', against whom an arrest warrant was issued, continued to report secretly from Lal Kuan office of 'Amar Ujala' in Lucknow. Ironically, journalists who remained free were sometimes mocked by their pro-govt peers, with comments like, 'You haven't been jailed yet?'' recalled Shukla.
NDTV
9 hours ago
- Politics
- NDTV
"Everyone Liked Gajar Halwa, Aam Ras": Shubhanshu Shukla Tells PM Modi From Space
New Delhi: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to reach International Space Station, told Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday that he brought "gajar ka halwa, moong dal ka halwa and aam ras" with him and other astronauts with him liked the Indian delicacies. The Prime Minister, who interacted with Group Captain Shukla, asked about his well-being and if he had tasted the 'Gajar ka halwa' he took with him. Yes, I brought gajar ka halwa, moong dal ka halwa and aam ras. I wanted everyone who has joined me from other countries to enjoy the rich Indian culinary. All of us had it together and everyone liked it," Group Captain Shukla said. He said that India looks "very big and grand" from the Space. " Jab pehli baar Bharat ko dekha, Bharat sach mein bohat bhavya dikta hain, jitna ham map pe dekhten hain, usse kahin jyada bada (When we saw India for the first time, we saw that India looks very grand, very big, much bigger than what we see on the map)," Group Captain Shukla said during his interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "A short while ago, when I was looking out of the window, we were flying over Hawaii. We see sunrise and sunset 16 times a day from the nation is moving forward at a very great pace," he added. Speaking aboard the ISS, Group Captain Shukla also said that it looks from space that no borders exit on Earth. "The first view was of the Earth and after seeing the Earth from outside, the first thought and the first thing that came to mind was that the Earth looks completely one, no border is visible from outside. When we see the Earth from outside, it seems that no border exists, no state exists, no countries exist. We all are part of humanity, and the Earth is our one home, and all of us are in it," he said. Group Captain Shukla, who is second Indian to reach Space, said he feels very proud as India has reached the International Space Station and it collective achievement of the country. He said he is feeling very emotional and happy after the conversation with PM Modi. He urged youth to work hard, never stop trying and said "the sky is never the limit". "I am feeling very emotional and happy after having a conversation with you and 140 crore Indians. I feel very proud as India has reached the International Space Station...I have learnt a lot in the entire journey. This is a collective achievement of the whole nation...I want to send a message to the younger generation that if you work hard, the future of the nation will be good. The sky is never the limit," Group Captain Shukla said. "The message I would like to give our young generation is that India has seen very bold and high dreams and to fulfil those dreams, we need all of you. There is no single way to success, but one thing that is common in every path is that you should never stop trying. If you adopt this basic mantra, then success may come today or tomorrow, but it will definitely come," he added. With India's first human Space mission "Gaganyaan" programme having entered its final phase, Shubhanshu Shukla said he is absorbing all the lessons and experience like a sponge. "I am confident that these lessons will be highly valuable for us and that we will apply them effectively in the coming missions," he said. "India is progressing at a swift will have its stations in plays a significant role in maintaining calmness, as there are many stressful situations during training and launch. Mindfulness and meditation help a lot in making good decisions," he added. PM Modi said that after the success of Chandrayaan, the youth of the country have developed a new interest towards science. "There is a new enthusiasm to explore space... Today, children not only look at the sky, but they think they can reach it. This spirit is the base of our future space missions... We have to take Mission Gaganyan forward, we have to make our own space station, and we have to ensure that an Indian astronaut lands on the Moon," PM Modi said. Group Captain Shukla said Indian scientists have prepared seven unique experiments for the mission. "I can say with great pride that for the first time Indian scientists have prepared seven unique experiments which I have brought here to the station. The first experiment, which is scheduled today, is on stem experiment focuses on how we can prevent or delay muscle loss in space by taking a specific supplement. We will also see if these supplements can be beneficial for older people on Earth as well," he said.
New Indian Express
9 hours ago
- Science
- New Indian Express
Our man in space: Shubhanshu Shukla leads the way beyond the stars
The reason why Shukla's Ax-4 space mission experience aboard the ISS is crucial is because it exposes him to a longer duration of stay and conduct of experiments in space. Gaganyaan mission will be much shorter. The experience that Shukla will bring back to the table will be invaluable. It will include the experience of living in space for two weeks, during the lift-off effects on the body, and that of splashdown at the end of the mission. In addition will be the valuable data that he will have gathered through his seven experiments that he will be conducting in space over the 14-day mission onboard the ISS, which will be of crucial relevance for India's own manned space missions in the years ahead. Also, as Shux will have already had the experience of a space mission following the Ax-4 mission, he may likely be among the three Indian astronauts to be on the maiden Gaganyaan mission. The other three Gaganyatris (as Gaganyaan astronauts are called) are Gp Capt Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, Gp Capt Ajit Krishnan and Gp Capt Angad Prathap. Born on October 10, 1985, and a native of Lucknow, Shukla is the youngest of three siblings born to the now-retired government official Shambhu Dayal Shukla and homemaker Asha Shukla. As a 14-year-old, he was inspired by the 1999 Kargil War, which in turn influenced him to join the National Defence Academy at Khadakwasla, Pune, where he got his BSc in Computer Science in 2005. He later underwent training at the Indian Air Force Academy at Dundigal near Hyderabad. He was commissioned as a Flying Officer in June 2006 in the fighter stream of the IAF, turning out to be an impressive air combat leader and later a seasoned test pilot with the experience of flying a slew of aircraft. From Shukla, the fighter pilot of the IAF, where it is believed 'sky is the limit', Shux, the astronaut, now believes 'Sky is never the limit!' for Indians, and is the man who is showing the way beyond it.
