Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla on Saturday, who is currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Shukla made history as the first Indian to reach the ISS in over four decades. The Prime Minister conveyed the pride and excitement of 140 crore Indians, telling Shukla, "You may be far from us, but the hearts of 140 crore Indians beat with you". Modi also noted the auspicious nature of Shukla's name and his journey, calling it the "shubh-aarambh" (auspicious beginning) of a new era for the nation's youth.
Shukla, who is the mission pilot for the Axiom-4 mission, launched aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday. The spacecraft's journey took 28 hours before successfully docking at the ISS's Harmony module. He is accompanied by mission commander Peggy Whitson from the US, and mission specialists Sawosz Uznanski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary.
During the conversation, Shukla shared his experiences aboard the ISS, describing the Earth as borderless and unified. "When we see the Earth from outside, 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," he said. He also noted that India appears "very grand, very big, much bigger than what we see on the map" from space. Shukla told PM Modi that he is privileged to witness 16 sunrises and 16 sunsets each day.
Shukla expressed his gratitude to PM Modi and the nation, stating that his journey was not just his own but that of the entire country. He added that under PM Modi's leadership, India is providing numerous opportunities for people to fulfill their dreams. He said, "This is not just my personal accomplishment-it is a collective achievement for our country".
PM Modi inquired about the experiments Shukla would be conducting on the ISS, particularly those related to medicine and agriculture. Shukla responded that he would be performing seven experiments, including research on stem cells and supplements to prevent muscle loss, which could benefit the elderly. He is also exploring the cultivation of nutrient-rich microalgae to boost food security. Shukla emphasized that the accelerated pace of research in space can inspire children back home.
The Prime Minister also gave Shukla "special homework" related to the Gaganyaan mission, the development of a made-in-India space station, and the goal of landing an Indian astronaut on the Moon. Shukla assured PM Modi that he was absorbing experiences at the ISS "like a sponge" and would apply them to accelerate India's space ambitions.
Shukla also shared that he brought Indian sweets, including gajar ka halwa (carrot pudding) and aamras (mango juice), to share with his fellow astronauts. He wanted his international crewmates to enjoy Indian cuisine, and everyone enjoyed the treats.
When PM Modi asked what message he would give to India's youth, Shukla encouraged them to never stop trying, emphasizing that success will come with perseverance. He stated that this mission is just the beginning of India's space story, with plans to build a space station and send Indian astronauts to the Moon. He urged every child and youth to believe that "the sky is never the limit".
