Sky is never the limit — neither for me nor for India: Shubhanshu Shukla

Indian Air Force (IAF) Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla on Tuesday said life is not just about reaching the destination, it is also about the journey, adding that sky is never the limit.

He was speaking at the 23rd convocation of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU) here where he was conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of Science (DSC) by Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel.

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“Objectives are important, dreams are important, plans are important. But in the race to fulfill them, do not forget to enjoy the process. Do not let the worry of ‘what will happen next’ overshadow the joy of ‘what is happening now’,” Shukla said.

Shubhanshu Shukla said that while today may seem like the end of your educational journey, convocation is not the end, it is your launchpad. Until now your life was bound by timetables, attendance and exams. From tomorrow, neither will a professor remind you of deadlines nor will a mark sheet tell you whether you are good or not. Now the feedback will come in the form of opportunities, trust and the impact you have made. This is both encouraging and challenging.

He said that freedom is exciting, but it also brings responsibility. From today onwards, every choice you make, your risks, your thoughts and your values will shape not only your future, but the future of India. Dr. Kalam taught us that dreams are not what we see while sleeping, but those that keep us awake.

Shukla shared his journey from Lucknow to NDA, Indian Air Force and then Gaganyaan to Space Mission and said that “waiting is not a waste, but preparation.” He said that while leaving this university, do not be in such a hurry to reach that you forget to live. Yes, pursue a career, pursue goals, pursue dreams. But do not forget to laugh with your friends, celebrate small victories. Smile at those failures too which taught you more than success.

Shubhanshu said that you are graduating at a time when India is in the most exciting phase of its space journey.

“We became the first country to land on the South Pole of the Moon with ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 mission. Mission Gaganyaan is preparing to send Indians to space. Our target is to have an Indian space station by 2035 and an Indian to step on the Moon by 2040,” he said.

He said that this is not the India that was lagging behind and trying to catch up. This is the India that is leading, innovating and shaping the future. And this is the same India that is waiting for you. These goals of ours are challenging and require the resources of the entire nation and the potential of youth like you.

Shubhanshu, while talking about his two promises, said, “I believe that India’s space sector has the transformative power to fulfill our goal of “Developed India 2047″. This is not just a dream, but a responsibility that we have to fulfill together.”

Secondly, India’s space industry is now growing rapidly. There was almost negligible presence till a few years ago, and today about 400 startups are working in it. This number will increase further in the coming years.

He said that the biggest challenge today is trained and industry-ready human resources. He said that often students need additional training of six months or more. This gap can be filled at the university level. I am proud that AKTU will set up “Centers of Excellence in Space” in several of its campuses. These centers will not only provide specialized training but also provide opportunities for hands-on learning and direct engagement with the industry.

Apart from this, AKTU will also enter into MoUs with private space companies so that students can see the latest technologies firsthand and contribute to them.