Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in a heartwarming and insightful conversation with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force, who is currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS). This interaction marks a historic moment as Shukla is the first Indian to visit the ISS in over four decades. The call, which took place on Saturday, was filled with laughter, personal anecdotes, and a shared sense of national pride.

During the conversation, PM Modi lauded Shukla's achievements, calling his journey a "shubh-aarambh," which translates to an auspicious new beginning. He acknowledged the significance of Shukla's mission and conveyed the pride of 1.4 billion Indians. Shukla, in turn, expressed that his journey was not just his alone but represented the progress and aspirations of the entire nation.

The Prime Minister, known for his affable nature, inquired about Shukla's experiences in space, including the challenges of living in a zero-gravity environment. Shukla shared his initial awe at seeing Earth from space, emphasizing that the planet appeared as a unified whole without borders. He also noted that India looked "grand and bigger" from space than it does on a map.

A particularly delightful moment occurred when PM Modi inquired about the "gajar ka halwa" (carrot dessert) that Shukla had taken with him. With a smile, the Prime Minister asked if he had shared it with his teammates. Shukla responded that he had indeed brought gajar ka halwa, along with moong dal ka halwa and aam ras (mango pulp), to share India's rich culinary heritage with his fellow astronauts from other countries. He added that everyone enjoyed the Indian treats.

Shukla also shared some of his observations about life on the ISS, mentioning the unique experience of witnessing 16 sunrises and sunsets each day. He described the initial challenges of adjusting to the zero-gravity environment, comparing it to a child learning to walk and eat. "Sleeping here is a big challenge...It takes some time to get used to this environment," he told the Prime Minister.

PM Modi commended Shukla for remaining grounded despite being in space, remarking, "You are in space, where there is no gravity, but every Indian is watching that you are down to earth". He also noted the auspicious nature of Shukla's name, "Shubh," and how his journey marked an auspicious beginning for the youth of the nation.