EMBRACE ANTICIPATION OVER ANXIETY

 

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, test pilot, is scheduled to lift off to space aboard Axiom - 4

 (AX -4)mission  on June 10,2025 for a two week stay in the International Space Station (ISS).

 

Kamna, his wife, speaks on her husband:

 

“He loves his workouts, non fiction books and to goof around with Sid, his six year old son. But when you talk about his fearlessness, he’s taken immense risks. He left his life as a fighter pilot and stepped into the uncharted world of space flight.”

 

“There’s a never – say- never attitude in him that’s very special. You’ll often find him quoting Dory from Finding Nemo – just keep swimming.”

 

“There may be a fire anywhere, but he focusses on solutions. That’s his forte.”

 

“Shubhanshu, the shy guy in our class room is now inspiring so many people.”

 

“He’s incredibly focussed. Like Arjuna {Mahabharat) he only sees the target.”

 

“He left his love for flying to enter an unknown territory. He reaches for the stars – and yet, he remains grounded.”

 

“Missing the early childhood of Sid, his son, was deeply painful for him.”

 

Kamna’s way of coping with the challenges had been to embrace anticipation over anxiety.

 

Her philosophy of life:

 

 “You can either be overwhelmed, or be excited. We chose excitement. Nothing worthwhile comes without risk. With challenge comes glory – that’s the mindset.”

 

The Times of India

9 June 2025