PM Modi Interacts With Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Aboard ISS, Discusses Space Experiments, 16 Sunsets, and Indian Cuisine in Orbit
PM Modi’s Inspiring Conversation With Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Aboard the ISS Delights Nation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a historic and heartfelt video call with Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who recently made history as the first Indian to reach the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission. The conversation, which was streamed live, offered a rare and emotional insight into India’s space achievements, patriotic pride, and the fascinating life of an astronaut in microgravity.
During the interaction, PM Modi began by expressing the sentiments of 140 crore Indians, telling Shubhanshu, “You may be far from us, but the hearts of 140 crore Indians beat with you.” The Prime Minister lauded Shukla’s journey as a symbol of the aspirations and capabilities of New India. He playfully mentioned that the astronaut’s name itself, “Shubhanshu,” contains the word “Shubh,” meaning auspicious, reflecting the positivity and hope surrounding this historic mission.
A light-hearted moment followed when PM Modi asked if the carrot halwa carried from India had been shared with the astronaut’s international colleagues. Shubhanshu responded with warmth, saying he had brought traditional Indian delicacies like carrot halwa, moong dal halwa, and aam ras to share the rich culinary heritage of India. He proudly mentioned that all the astronauts aboard the ISS sat together and enjoyed these dishes, which were warmly received.
The Prime Minister further delved into the astronaut’s daily experiences aboard the ISS, particularly the unique phenomenon of witnessing 16 sunrises and 16 sunsets each day due to the spacecraft orbiting Earth every 90 minutes. Drawing a cultural parallel, PM Modi described this as a modern-day ‘parikrama’ or circumambulation of Mother Earth—an act deeply rooted in Indian tradition. Shukla shared that just before the call, the ISS had passed over Hawaii, and he still found the daily sights of Earth’s beauty from space to be mesmerizing.
PM Modi also inquired about the astronaut’s life in zero gravity, to which Shubhanshu Shukla responded candidly. He mentioned that even after rigorous training, the actual experience of microgravity posed unexpected challenges. Tasks as simple as staying still became complex, and during the call, he had to strap his feet down to avoid floating away—highlighting the surreal reality of life in space.
The Prime Minister then turned the discussion toward the scientific experiments being conducted in space and their potential benefits for Earth. Shubhanshu revealed that seven experiments designed by Indian scientists had been carried aboard the mission. He shared that one of the experiments focuses on stem cells, aimed at understanding muscle loss in zero gravity and testing supplements that may prevent or delay this process. This research could be a breakthrough for addressing muscle degeneration in the elderly population on Earth. Another crucial experiment involves the growth of microalgae, which are rich in nutrients. If scalable production methods are developed based on these findings, it could significantly contribute to global food security. Shukla emphasized that experiments in space progress much faster than on Earth due to accelerated biological processes, making space research highly efficient and impactful.
Shubhanshu Shukla is part of the Axiom-4 mission aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, which docked successfully at the ISS on June 27 at 4:05 pm IST. The spacecraft, launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on June 25, carries an international crew including former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, ESA astronauts Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, Tibor Kapu of Hungary, and ISRO’s own Shubhanshu Shukla. The mission, which will last up to 14 days, includes scientific experiments, outreach initiatives, and commercial activities aboard the ISS.
This remarkable conversation between PM Modi and Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla not only showcased India’s growing prowess in space exploration but also reflected a beautiful blend of science, culture, and national pride. For video news, visit our YouTube channel THE OLIGO.
