Russian cosmonaut interacts with school kids in the city

SKI, an organisation that creates a space for international experiential learning for students in the fields of science, technology, art and culture, gained prominence when it became the first organisation to take Indian students to perform at the London Olympics in 2012. 

Apart from regular training and competitions, they also provide kids an opportunity to share ideas with and learn from eminent Indian scientists. This year, to mark National Science Day (February 28), SKI brought in Russian cosmonaut Salizhan Sharipov to interact with kids in the city. In honour of Sharipov, the ‘Cosmonaut Salizhan Sharipov Aerospace Research Lab’ will be inaugurated at the Bharath University in the city on February 24. 

Sharipov, who started his career as a pilot instructor has logged over 950 hours of flying time apart from flying the MIG -21, L-39 aircraft. As a military pilot, Colonel. Salizhan was selected by the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center as a cosmonaut candidate. He has flown two space missions and has logged over 422 hours in space. 

Sharipov is now a co- author and investigator for the Advanced Diagnostic Ultrasound in Microgravity project. Speaking at the event in which he also fielded questions from the students, he said, “India is a treasure trove of talent and it’s such a pleasure to be here.” 

The event that was graced by Sergey Kotov, Consul General of Russian Federation in South India, also witnessed an award ceremony in which Retd Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma was honoured with the lifetime achievement award. Mariazeena Johnson, director of Satyabama University was felicitated.  

Dr Srimathy Kesan, the director of SKI, said, “In my journey, I’ve met thousands of children from various backgrounds, who nurtured a dream to visit NASA and rub shoulders with astronauts. Unfortunately, affordability has been a hitch. 

Hence, it has been a long cherished dream to pursue astronauts to come to India and meet these children. With Sharipov’s presence, it has now come true. It was very generous of him to have come at such short notice and I hope his presence inspires more youngsters to follow in his footsteps.” 

SKI has also collaborated with Abdul Kalam Foundation, to organise its annual event, ‘Young Scientist India’, a competition that will be open to school students across the country from notice.” SKI has also collaborated with Abdul Kalam Foundation, to organise its annual event, ‘Young Scientist India’, a competition that will be open to school students across the country from class 9 to 12.