my uttarakhand news Bureau
Dehradun, 8 Apr: The Doon Book Festival 2026 witnessed engaging and inspiring sessions today as astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and Lieutenant General Satish Dua shared their experiences with the students and readers, drawing enthusiastic participation at the ongoing literature fest in Dehradun.
In the first session, Shubhanshu Shukla interacted with students, sharing his journey from Dehradun to space and offering insights into his experience during the Axiom-4 mission. He was welcomed by former Chief Minister and Haridwar MP, Trivendra Singh Rawat, on the stage. The astronaut reflected on his school days in Dehradun and presented a short film detailing his five-year-long training, the journey into space, his 20-day stay at the space station and return to Earth. Through visuals and narration, he spoke about the challenges of adapting to life in space, including changes in daily routines, movement in zero gravity, specialised food systems and work conditions.
Describing the mission as both physically and mentally demanding, Shukla said it was a matter of pride to fulfil the aspirations of the nation. He also recalled India’s first astronaut Rakesh Sharma as a constant source of inspiration during the journey. He expressed confidence that India would soon achieve success in its human spaceflight and lunar missions and encouraged students to explore opportunities in space science, noting that the next astronaut could well emerge from Dehradun. Responding to questions, he advised students to focus on the present, set ambitious goals and achieve them step by step, while urging them to contribute to nation-building in whichever field they choose.
In another session, Lt Gen Satish Dua (Retd) spoke about his book and his experiences during military operations, including the surgical strikes carried out after the Uri attack. In conversation with defence journalist Neeraj Rajput, he elaborated on operational strategies, challenges faced by the Indian Army and the evolving strength of India’s military capabilities. He observed that the surgical strikes demonstrated India’s resolve and capability on the global stage and highlighted the country’s growing self-reliance in defence technology and equipment.
Interacting with the audience, Dua emphasised that patriotism extends beyond military service and urged the youth to contribute to national development in their respective fields, noting that becoming responsible citizens is the true way to honour the armed forces and their sacrifices.
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