Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s poignant observation from space, "The Earth looks completely one; no border is visible from outside", now finds a place in the National Council of Educational Research and Training’s (NCERT) newly released Environmental Studies textbook for Class 5 students.
The quote, drawn from Shukla’s conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is featured in the chapter titled Earth, Our Shared Home, in the book Our Wondrous World. Shukla, the first Indian Air Force officer to visit the International Space Station (ISS), completed an 18-day mission on 15 July, marking India’s return to the orbital outpost after four decades.
“It seems that no border exists, no state exists, no countries exist. We all are part of humanity, and the Earth is our one home, and all of us are in it,” Shukla told Modi, describing his experience of viewing Earth from space.
The textbook, developed under the framework of the National Education Policy 2020, is part of a new integrated approach to learning that merges science, social science, and environmental studies. Known as TWAU – The World Around Us, the book aims to cultivate observation, ethical reasoning, and environmental awareness in young learners.
Also read: Shubhanshu Shukla reunites with family after historic ISS mission
Alongside Shukla’s reflections, the textbook introduces innovative systems such as DIGIPIN, a digital address identifier for precise location mapping. It also includes content on oral health safety, microbial life, flood preparedness, and food preservation techniques.
One chapter takes readers along the Godavari River to explore geographical features and ecological efforts, including the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary and the Namami Gange initiative. Another section, Our Vibrant Country, presents cultural richness through national symbols, traditional dress, and a hands-on activity exploring currency notes.
From Bhut Jolokia chillies of Assam and coir crafts of Kerala to the Kailashnatha temple in Maharashtra and Majuli Island in Assam, the book curates a mosaic of India's diversity while fostering a spirit of inquiry-led learning.
Also included are narratives of national icons such as APJ Abdul Kalam, Rani Lakshmibai, Chhatrapati Shivaji, and Bhagat Singh. These are woven into lessons that connect personal experience with national identity.
The textbook encourages students to document seasonal changes, conduct interviews, explore local biodiversity, and reflect on their surroundings. Designed not only to inform but to inspire, the book positions Earth not merely as a physical space but as a shared home for all of humanity. This message resonates clearly through Shukla’s view from the stars.
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