Thiruvananthapuram, March 26 – Thiruvananthapuram is set to host a significant scientific event as astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to set foot on the International Space Station (ISS), arrives in the city on March 28.
He will be in Kerala as a guest of Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and is scheduled to interact with selected students at Lok Bhavan.
The highlight of the visit will be a speech on the theme, "India's Advancement in Space, India's Growing Strength: A Pathway for Youth Towards a Developed Nation."
The event, scheduled for 4 PM, will involve 500 selected students, offering a rare opportunity for young minds to directly engage with one of India's leading space pioneers.
Shukla, hailing from Uttar Pradesh, is a Group Captain in the Indian Air Force and an astronaut with the Indian Space Research Organisation. Commissioned into the Air Force, he has flown a variety of fighter aircraft and later served as a test pilot, building a comprehensive aviation profile before transitioning into the country's human spaceflight program.
He was among the four astronauts shortlisted in 2019 for India's ambitious human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan.
In July 2025, Shukla etched his name in history by becoming the first Indian to visit the International Space Station as part of the Axiom Mission 4.
He is also the second Indian to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma, who made the historic journey in 1984.
In recognition of his distinguished service, Shukla was awarded the Ashoka Chakra in 2026, India's highest peacetime military honour.
His visit is expected to inspire students and reinforce the growing momentum of India's space ambitions, while underscoring the role of youth in shaping the country's journey towards becoming a developed nation.
Since Arlekar took over, he has ensured that Lok Bhavan remains a hub of activity, holding regular meetings with a diverse group of people and using his approachable personality to connect with many, inviting them to his office.