Lucknow: Group Captain and astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla on Wednesday urged parents to support children who choose unconventional careers and to stay informed about emerging fields such as space and technology.He was speaking to students and school heads at Universal Book Store in Hazratganj.Shukla said parents should read more to understand how the career landscape is changing, so they can guide children based on current opportunities rather than traditional expectations.Recalling his own decision to apply to National Defence Academy (NDA), he said he did not inform his family at the time, adding that pursuing ambitious goals often involves taking risks.Addressing students, Shukla said education should not be seen as a straight path from school and college to a job. He encouraged them to think bigger and contribute to national progress. He also said becoming an astronaut was not a childhood plan, but something that emerged through opportunities he encountered after joining NDA.Shukla advised students to work consistently and seize chances when they arise. Looking ahead, he said India’s space sector would expand sharply over the next two to three decades. He told students that sustained effort from an early stage could place them in line for roles in future lunar missions.
