Raipur, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Friday launched “Mission Antariksh” and “Project Jai Vigyan” at his official residence in Raipur. The twin initiatives, launched on Teacher’s Day, aim to raise awareness about space science among schoolchildren and cultivate scientific curiosity at the grassroots level. The event also served to honour Group Captain Shubhashnu Shukla, an astronaut who recently completed a successful space mission.
The projects were officially initiated with the signing of two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between the Raipur district administration and the Igniting Dreams of Young Minds Foundation and between the Raipur district administration and Vigyan Bharati. These partnerships will provide students with opportunities for workshops, interactive sessions, and science exhibitions, linking classroom learning with real-world applications in science and space technology.
In his address, Chief Minister Sai congratulated Group Captain Shubhashnu Shukla and hailed his achievement as an inspiration for the nation’s youth. He linked the launch of the new initiatives with the broader vision of an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India). “Science is not confined to laboratories alone. It is a way of life,” he remarked, adding that the projects would instil confidence in children to think originally and innovate. He said the initiatives aim to make Chhattisgarh’s children creators of knowledge rather than just passive recipients.
Group Captain Shubhashnu Shukla shared his experiences of space travel with the students and teachers. He urged the young audience to pursue science with passion and perseverance. “It is my duty to pass on the opportunities given to me by the country to the future generations,” he said, thanking the Chief Minister for conceptualising the initiatives. He noted that when a state prioritises science education, the entire society benefits.
The ceremony concluded with the Chief Minister paying tribute to teachers for their role in guiding students toward scientific inquiry and moral development. “Just as teachers open the door to knowledge, initiatives like Mission Antariksh will open the door to imagination and discovery,” Mr Sai said.