Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station, encouraged Delhi’s students to take an active role in shaping the country’s future as he launched the Delhi government’s AI Grind Challenge on Sunday.
Addressing the gathering, Shukla spoke about his mission in space and the expanding role of Artificial Intelligence in modern space technology. He said AI now supports critical functions in navigation, data analysis and safety systems, and stressed that young innovators should explore these fields with confidence. Calling upon students to think boldly, Shukla said, “You are the future. I am giving you a call for action. You have to work towards realising the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047.” He added that the coming decades will demand advanced problem solving skills and strong scientific thinking from the next generation.
The AI Grind Challenge aims to encourage school students to develop solutions using Artificial Intelligence for practical problems. Officials said the initiative is designed to give young participants early exposure to emerging technologies and help them build confidence in real world applications. Shukla said programmes that combine classroom learning with technology based challenges can help students discover their strengths and prepare for careers in science and engineering. He praised the enthusiasm of the students present and said that India’s progress will depend on how effectively the youth use new tools and ideas.
The event concluded with students interacting with the astronaut, who urged them to remain curious, disciplined and committed to national development.
