Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s (Shux) heartfelt “Namaskar from space” during the Axiom-4 mission instantly ignited immense national pride across India. Indeed, this single gesture from orbit resonated deeply with over 1.4 billion hearts. Remarkably, his journey from City Montessori School (CMS) to space command shows how purpose-driven education doesn’t just shape careers—it inspires generations to aim higher, dream bigger, and reach for the stars.
“Shubhanshu’s journey from CMS classrooms to the cosmos proves education must spark both genius and character,” says Prof. Geeta Gandhi Kingdon, Manager, City Montessori School, in a recent interaction. She further adds, “His interstellar accomplishment accentuates that when learning goes beyond textbooks to instil curiosity, collaboration, and conviction—it prepares them to become catalysts for progress and visionaries who solve for humanity, not just equations. For 15 years, CMS was not just his school but his foundation. Here, he was encouraged to question deeply, dream boldly, and act ethically. In classrooms where every lesson was infused with global thinking and innovative problem-solving, his remarkable transformation—beginning as a curious CMS student, advancing through the disciplined ranks of the Indian Air Force, and ultimately reaching the pioneering frontiers of space exploration—exemplifies the profound impact of transformative, purpose-driven education.”
“The real question is not just how many Shubhanshus our schools can produce but whether our curriculum fosters problem-solving, fearless curiosity, and critical thinking—grounded in ethical action through cross-cultural collaboration.” Challenging conventional wisdom, she adds, “Transformative education must go beyond the usual metrics of literacy, numeracy, and job-readiness. It must empower young minds to build resilience, solve real-world problems, lead with integrity and collaborate to contribute meaningfully to futures none of us can fully predict. The need is for an education that makes young minds feel empowered to not just succeed professionally but to serve the world with character, courage, critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration, and citizenship.”
The Axiom-4 mission wasn’t just about one person’s courage—it was a powerful example of what global teamwork and scientific curiosity can achieve together. Shux and his fellow astronauts conducted nearly 60 pioneering experiments aboard the ISS, including studies on microgravity, stem cell reactions and microalgae cultivation—work with profound implications for agriculture and health on Earth. But more moving than science was symbolism: astronauts from nations in conflict worked in harmony aboard the ISS, showing that the future of humanity must be collaborative, borderless, and visionary.
As Prof. Gandhi Kingdon states, “The Axiom-4 mission brought the world together as a single, borderless home. Even nations—some with historical tensions—collaborated towards unity in purpose, anchored in the progress of our civilisation.” Even in a recent interaction between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shux, the astronaut shared his experience of viewing Earth from space as an example of true unity and the absence of borders. Problem-solving, she further emphasised, is not just an abstract skill but a lived reality for astronauts. Even with humanity’s current understanding of space travel, the complexities demand ingenuity and teamwork. From months of preparation at the Kennedy Space Centre to docking and undocking at the ISS, Shux and his crew demonstrated the resilience and adaptability that transformative education must foster.
From a humble beginning with just five students to a staggering 64,000 changemakers, CMS’s journey is a testament to visionary leadership. Founded by Dr Jagdish and Dr Bharti Gandhi, it has grown into the world’s largest city-based school, an achievement proudly recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records. This remarkable growth isn’t just about scale—it’s about changing countless lives in meaningful, lasting ways. CMS alumni are now global leaders, excelling in every field imaginable—from diplomacy and medicine to groundbreaking entrepreneurship and even space exploration—truly embodying a legacy of limitless potential.
“Transformative education does more than teach facts; it must first spark an insatiable desire to learn. Equally important, it builds rock-solid character. Finally, it transforms students into empathetic architects designing a brighter future for the world,” shares Prof. Geeta Gandhi Kingdon with immense conviction.
Dr Bharati Gandhi, Founder-Director, City Montessori School echoes this vision, adding: “Jai Jagat (Glory to the World) is more than a motto—it’s our guiding mission, inspired by Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the earth is but one country and mankind its citizens. From vibrant Montessori classrooms to senior secondary halls, it embodies CMS’s transformative DNA, shaping ethical leaders and trailblazing changemakers like Shubhanshu, who are empowered to lead and collaborate across continents—from diplomatic missions and medical frontiers to the ultimate frontier: space”.
Today’s unprecedented global challenges, from climate change, geopolitical tensions and AI-led technological disruptions to space exploration, demand rethinking our approach as educators. CMS’s proven methodology, seamlessly blending academic rigour with values-driven learning and global citizenship, offers a transformative blueprint for institutions worldwide. Truly, Group Captain Shubhanshu’s successful journey to space and his next assignment as a Gaganyatri exemplify that when inspired minds converge with purposeful learning, the entire cosmos becomes our limitless classroom—truly embodying the spirit of Jai Jagat.