New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today interacted with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who is currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission.
This historic conversation marks a significant moment for India’s burgeoning space ambitions, with Shukla becoming the first Indian to set foot on the ISS and the second Indian ever to venture into space, 41 years after Rakesh Sharma’s flight in 1984.
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) confirmed the interaction through a post on X, stating, “PM @narendramodi interacted with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who is aboard the International Space Station.”
During the virtual exchange, which lasted approximately 18 minutes, PM Shri Modi conveyed the pride and well-wishes of 1.4 billion Indians to Group Captain Shukla. He emphasized that Shukla’s journey is not just a personal achievement but an “auspicious beginning” (‘shubh-aarambh’) for a new era in India’s space endeavors, paving the way for the Gaganyaan mission and the eventual establishment of India’s own space station.
Group Captain Shukla, serving as Mission Pilot on the Axiom-4 mission, shared his experiences and insights from orbit. He described seeing India from space as “grand and bigger than it does on the map,” and highlighted the profound sense of unity observed from above, where national boundaries disappear. He also mentioned conducting seven unique experiments designed by Indian scientists, including stem cell research, which he believes will benefit sectors like agriculture and health in India.
In a lighthearted moment, PM Shri Modi enquired about the ‘gajar ka halwa’ (carrot dessert) that Shukla had carried with him to space. Shukla confirmed that he, along with his international crewmates, had enjoyed the traditional Indian sweets, sharing India’s rich culinary heritage in orbit.
Group Captain Shukla emphasized to the youth of India that “Sky is never the limit,” urging them to never give up on their aspirations. He affirmed that he is absorbing all knowledge “like a sponge” to contribute to India’s future space missions.
The Axiom-4 mission, carrying Shukla and three other astronauts, successfully docked with the ISS on June 26, after launching aboard SpaceX’s Dragon capsule from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre on June 25. The crew is set to spend approximately two weeks on the orbiting laboratory, undertaking a range of scientific experiments, technology demonstrations, and educational outreach activities.