Ahmedabad's Science City welcomed two new African penguin chicks to its Aquatic Gallery on 22 August 2026, bringing the facility's total penguin count to 10. The chicks — named 'Shaurya' and 'Veer' — were formally introduced to visitors in the presence of Gujarat Science and Technology Minister Arjun Modhwadia, coinciding with the launch of the three-day Space Festival-2026.

The New Arrivals

Both male chicks were born at the Aquatic Gallery in September 2025. The gallery first introduced African penguins in 2021 with a founding group of five; three more were subsequently born at the facility, taking the count to eight before Shaurya and Veer arrived. The Aquatic Gallery is among Science City's flagship exhibits, housing African penguins as part of a broader aquatic attractions programme.

Space Festival-2026 Gets Under Way

The penguin unveiling coincided with the inauguration of Space Festival-2026, a three-day event running until 23 August — observed nationally as National Space Day to mark Chandrayaan-3's historic soft landing near the Moon's south pole. The festival features a Space Science Exhibition, planetarium shows, space rangoli, digital poster presentations, origami, hands-on workshops, science lectures, a space quiz, panel discussions with scientists, and night-sky observation. More than 20,000 students, teachers, and citizens from across Gujarat are expected to attend.

Gujarat's Growing Space Ambitions

Inaugurating the festival, Minister Modhwadia highlighted Gujarat's expanding role in India's space economy. He noted that the headquarters of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) is located in Ahmedabad, and that work is under way to establish a new launch station near Kodinar in Saurashtra. The state has also set up dedicated satellite manufacturing facilities.

On semiconductors, Modhwadia said: 'Six of the country's 12 plants are being established in Gujarat. Three plants at Sanand are operational, while new plants are planned at Surat and Dholera.' He added that Gujarat's space-tech and electronics policies aim to position the state as a national leader in artificial intelligence and space technology over the next 10 years, creating conditions for young people to become 'job providers rather than job seekers'.

Industry Partnerships and Start-Up Recognition

On the sidelines of the festival, the Gujarat State Electronics Mission (GSEM) and NAMTEC signed MoUs aimed at building a skilled workforce in space technology, electronics, and semiconductors. Around 20 space start-ups were also recognised during the programme. A science exhibition was organised with participation from ISRO's Space Applications Centre (SAC), GSEM, and approximately 50 organisations, research bodies, start-ups, industries, and innovators. Following the opening of India's space sector to private players, more than 300 active start-ups are now operating in the sector nationally. This year's National Space Day theme is 'Towards Viksit Bharat: Innovating, Collaborating and Aspiring to Global Space Leadership'.

The festival remains open through 23 August, with organisers inviting students, teachers, and science enthusiasts to participate in the full programme.