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Shah Jalal Jonak, once a young prodigy, is now preparing to become Bangladesh's first astronaut as he pursues rocket science degree in Russia. From his early days in the northern Panchagarh district, Jonak left no stone unturned to make his dream come true.
Jonak, apart from his study, is delivering speeches to motivate millions of students. He helps his fans to develop their career, social values, self-reliance, etc. His speeches had a positive impact on thousands of students.
According to Jonak, studying rocket science is very demanding and difficult. You don't just read about a rocket engine's nitty-gritty. You must remember that the rocket motor undergoes changes very quickly. Rocket motors are made to travel rapidly from the Earth to space within seconds.
In the first stage, a Soyuz rocket of Soviet manufacturer flew at a speed of 2 kilometers per second. That means the rocket roughly crosses 2 km in the blink of an eye. Because of this, studying rocket science is very difficult and complicated. He revealed his story to The Daily Messenger from Russia.
“Usually, astronauts are the most intelligent individuals on the planet. Because the universe is a very complex realm. Nothing should be taken for granted. There must be an instant choice taken. Don't rely on anyone else to make this choice. Only a clever and smart individual can be an astronaut because of this,” he said adding that individuals who can handle any circumstance in space are being chosen. Astronauts' lives can be saved or lost by a simple choice, he added.
He also said, “I therefore was trained for flights on my own to get ready to be an astronaut. I completed a basic emergency medical management training for self-defense and received firearms operating skill.” “I have intended to obtain licences for skydiving and scuba diving in near future.
Every nation has aspirants who are wishes to become astronauts. That is why I am also preparing myself,” he added. In March 2022, he was the first Bangladeshi to visit Russia's Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at the invitation of the Russian State Space Corporation, ROSCOSMOS.
From there, he learned about all the activities of sending Russian cosmonauts into orbit. Directly he witnessed how rockets are being launched into space. On March 18, Russian cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev, the mission's commander Oleg Artemyev carried Jonak's book titled ‘Mohabishwer Mohakash Fari,’ which was the first Bangla book sent to space. The book was kept in the International Space Station's collection.
The Russian space corporation, granted its approval. As a consequence, the International Space Station's library catalogued the first book ever published in Bangla.
Russian space or rocket education is very top-notch discipline. But it is challenging because the majority of the colleges here require the Russian language as a medium of instruction. About 100 Bangladeshi students receive scholarships each year from the Russian government to study in Russia in a variety of fields. I bagged one such scholarship to study in Russia.
The other important thing Jonak said, “After completion of study of Rocket Science or Rocket Engineering, one can usually work as a rocket engineer or rocket scientist in various aerospace or space agencies, maybe I can avail one too. But I want to be an astronaut. No one from Bangladesh hasn’t so far become an astronaut.
“That's why I am studying and preparing myself in various ways to become an astronaut. It is currently not feasible for a citizen of Bangladesh to become an astronaut because the decision to be an astronaut is closely tied up with the willingness of the administration of that nation. But I'm getting ready,” he hoped with positive body language.
“If I am allowed to travel the space on behalf of Bangladesh, I will feel proud to be the first Bangladeshi astronaut to space,” Jonak told The Daily Messenger. He is also preparing himself for the possibility of being sent into space as a Bangladeshi national. In this respect, he is receiving advice from a variety of astronauts. I am grateful to everyone.
Charles E, a classmate of Jonak's said, “He is one of my closest pals. It is wonderful news for all of us that a book by Jonak has already been kept in the International Space Station. It is the first Bangla book to travel to space, and I think Jonak will be the debut Bangladeshi astronaut in near future.”
"It feels a little awkward to speak about one’s own kid, but Jonak has always thought outside the box since his childhood," said Jonak's mother Sanjida Sharmin.
“We are promised to help him achieve his goals. There were still a lot of difficulties. Through his endeavours, he has reached this unique stage,” added his mother.
Jonak studied at Rajuk Uttara Uttara Model College and completed SSC and HSC. After getting a government scholarship from Russia, now he is studying 'Rocket Complex and Space Science' in Russia. He has written several books.
Jonak’s schoolteacher Rebecca Sultana said, “Shah Jalal Jonak was a brilliant student of our Bhajanpur Government Primary School. He was very inquisitive and curious about everything. He wanted to study science. Today, his dream has come true. It makes us very proud. We pray that he can work nationally and internationally.”
Dipankar Roy, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), stated that Shah Jalal Jonak is one of these geniuses of Panchagarh.
“We believe that Jonak brought honour for Panchagarh. Jonak envisions himself working for the government one day,” added the ADC.
Born in Tentulia’s Bhajanpur Jonak got admitted at the Bhajanpur Government Primary School. After finishing his elementary learning he shifted to capital Dhaka and enrolled at Rajuk Uttara Model College. He passed his SSC and HSC from this institution. Later, he went to Russia, pursuing bachelor’s degree in ‘Rocket Complexes and Space Science’.
In addition to his academic learning, Jonak has authored several books including 'Magic of Rubik's Cube', ‘Podartho Bigganer Mojar Proshno O Uttor’; 'Priya Baba', ‘Shobdo Diye Buddhir Khela’; ‘Mohabishwer Mohakash Fari’; ‘Shobder Golpo’ and ‘Poribesh O Jolobayur Golpo’.
TDM/SD
