Prime Minister, Narendra Modi interacted with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the Indian Astronaut, who became the first Indian to go to the International Space Station, via videoconferencing on Saturday. PM Modi remarked that although Shubhanshu Shukla is presently the farthest from the Indian motherland, he remains closest to the hearts of all Indians. He noted that Shubhanshu’s name itself carries auspiciousness, and his journey marks the beginning of a new era.
PM Modi stated that while it was a conversation between two individuals, it embodied the emotions and enthusiasm of 140 crore Indians. He said that the voice speaking to Shubhanshu carried the collective zeal and pride of the entire nation and extended his heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Shubhanshu for hoisting India’s flag in space. PM Modi enquired about Shubhanshu’s well-being and whether all was fine aboard the space station.
Responding to the Prime Minister, astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla thanked for best wishes on behalf of 140 crore Indians and stated that he is in good health and deeply moved by the love and blessings he has received. He described his time in orbit as a profound and novel experience, one that reflects not just his personal journey but also the direction in which India is advancing.
Shukla said that his 400-kilometre journey from Earth to orbit is symbolic of the aspirations of countless Indians. Recalling his childhood, he shared that he never imagined becoming an astronaut, but under the Prime Minister’s leadership, today’s India enables the realisation of such dreams. Shubhanshu called it a great achievement and said he felt immense pride in representing his country in space.
PM enquires about carrot halwa
PM Modi remarked, with a touch of humour, that although Shubhanshu is in space where gravity is nearly absent, every Indian can see how grounded he remains. He asked whether the carrot halwa that Shubhanshu carried from India had been shared with his fellow astronauts. Shubhanshu Shukla shared that he brought along several traditional Indian delicacies to the space station, including carrot halwa, moong dal halwa, and aam ras.
PM Modi expressed his intent to offer his international colleagues a taste of India’s rich culinary heritage. He informed the Prime Minister that they all sat together and enjoyed the dishes, which were very well received. He noted that his fellow astronauts appreciated the flavours so much that some even expressed a desire to visit India in the future to experience these dishes on Indian soil.
PM Modi said science and spirituality, both are our nation’s strength. He said with the success of Chandrayaan mission there is renewed interest in science among the children and youth of the country. There is passion to explore space. PM told Shubhanshu that now his historic journey is giving more power to this resolve.
We have to build our own space station: PM
PM Modi said we have to take Mission Gaganyaan forward, we have to build our own space station and also land Indian astronauts on the Moon. PM Modi told Shubhanshu that today I can say with confidence that this is the first chapter of success of India's Gaganyaan mission, your historic journey is not just limited to space, it will give speed and new vigour to our journey of Viksit Bharat. India is going to open doors of new possibilities of space for the world, PM added.
One cannot see borders from space: Shubhanshu
Shubhanshu Shukla, responding to the Prime Minister, shared that the first thought which struck him upon entering orbit and witnessing the vastness of space was the view of Earth itself. He said that from space, one cannot see borders—there are no visible boundaries between nations and what stood out most was the sheer unity of the planet.