Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, a distinguished test pilot with the Indian Air Force and ISRO astronaut, recently met Sanjay Kumar, Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy, in New Delhi. The meeting, held on Friday, centred around the Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025, an initiative inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to promote creativity, innovation, and scientific curiosity among Indian students.
According to the Ministry of Education’s statement on social media, the discussion focused on ways to encourage young minds to contribute to the nation’s journey towards a “Viksit Bharat”, or developed India. The Ministry also announced that Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has been appointed as the Brand Ambassador for the Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025, recognising his achievements as the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS).
I wanted to write about this meeting because it perfectly blends India’s space achievements with its educational aspirations. It’s a moment where inspiration meets policy — where a national hero like Shukla, who has literally touched the stars, is guiding the next generation of innovators back on Earth. The initiative reflects how India is now connecting science, innovation, and education to shape a generation ready for the future.
A Meeting to Inspire the Next Generation
The discussion between Sanjay Kumar and Shubhanshu Shukla revolved around the key objectives of the Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025, which aims to cultivate problem-solving skills and innovation-driven learning among students. The programme encourages young learners to develop practical, tech-based solutions for real-world challenges, promoting critical thinking from the school level.
The Buildathon is expected to draw participation from students across the country, providing them with mentorship, hands-on training, and opportunities to present their ideas before experts and policymakers. The initiative is seen as a bridge between education and nation-building, aligning perfectly with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasises creativity, research, and experiential learning.
Shubhanshu Shukla: From Sky to Classroom Inspiration
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s journey — from an Indian Air Force test pilot to an ISRO astronaut and the first Indian aboard the International Space Station — has become a source of immense national pride. His new role as Brand Ambassador for the Viksit Bharat Buildathon adds a symbolic layer of motivation for students across India.
By associating with this programme, Shukla hopes to encourage students to explore STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields and dream big. His participation signals the government’s intent to merge scientific inspiration with educational reform, helping schools and colleges nurture a generation capable of leading India into the space and technology-driven future.
In his message after the meeting, Shukla reportedly appreciated the Education Ministry’s efforts to promote science and innovation among students, calling it “a mission that will empower India’s youth to think, build, and transform.”
Linking Education to Nation-Building
Under the Viksit Bharat initiative, the Ministry of Education has been promoting a series of projects designed to make education more innovative, inclusive, and technology-driven. The Buildathon 2025, in particular, connects students directly with the vision of “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) by motivating them to design solutions for issues ranging from sustainability to public service delivery.
This approach also reflects the government’s larger mission to prepare India’s young population for the challenges and opportunities of the Industry 4.0 era, where AI, robotics, and digital technologies will dominate the global economy. By bringing figures like Shubhanshu Shukla into this conversation, the government is infusing real-life inspiration into classroom learning.
A Step Towards an Innovative Education Ecosystem
The meeting between Shukla and Sanjay Kumar signifies more than a ceremonial collaboration — it reflects a deeper push toward reimagining how India connects its educational institutions with national missions. It’s about encouraging students to view themselves not just as learners but as contributors to India’s future.
Experts believe such initiatives can create long-term change in how students perceive science and technology — shifting the focus from rote learning to applied knowledge. When students are mentored by figures like Shukla, who have achieved global recognition, it adds a layer of authentic inspiration and aspiration that traditional curricula often lack.
