NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday engaged in a warm, informal conversation with Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, who is currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as the Group Captain of Axiom Space's Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission.
"You are farthest from India but closest to Indian hearts; your journey is the start of a new era," PM Modi told Shukla, adding that his presence on the ISS marks the beginning of India’s Mission Gaganyaan. The Prime Minister emphasised that this mission would not only advance India’s space exploration but also accelerate the country’s progress towards becoming a ‘Vikshit Bharat’ (developed India).
“Today, I can say that your historic journey to space is not just limited to space; it marks the first successful chapter of India’s Gaganyaan mission,” Modi said during their interaction.
When asked about his feelings upon reaching space, Shukla, the first Indian to board the ISS, told the Prime Minister, “I saw no borders on the Earth, and India looked much bigger than what it is seen on the map.” In the video conversation, Shukla further added, “When I saw India for the first time from space, it appeared much larger and grander than on the map.”
He also delivered a powerful message of unity to the world: “You can truly feel the sense of oneness, there are no borders.”
Encouraging Shukla to document his experiences aboard the ISS for the mission, PM Modi conveyed the best wishes of 140 crore Indians. “India is now poised to open the doors to new space possibilities for the world. Now India will not just fly, it will prepare the platforms for new flights in space in the future,” he said.
The Prime Minister noted that Shukla’s journey, which includes conducting several experiments in zero gravity, would inspire young Indians to pursue careers in space exploration. Referring again to Shukla’s distance from India, Modi remarked, “Shubhanshu, today you are the farthest from the land of India, but the closest to the heart of every Indian.”
Expressing his vision for India’s space ambitions, Modi said he was confident that India would soon build its own space station and ensure an Indian astronaut’s landing on the Moon in the near future.
During their conversation, Shukla expressed his pride in participating in this historic mission. He said he felt privileged to witness India’s rapid growth and development under PM Modi’s leadership. Shukla also shared some of his experiences aboard the ISS, including the fascinating fact that the station orbits Earth at a speed of 28,000 km/h. He explained that his body was adjusting well to zero gravity thanks to his extensive year-long training.
Shukla mentioned that he would be conducting experiments on stem cells, which hold the potential to benefit medical science on Earth. He also shared that he had witnessed "16 sunrises and 16 sunsets" each day aboard the ISS and spoke of his excitement in contributing to such a significant milestone in India’s space programme.
Adding a personal touch to his journey, Shukla talked about the traditional Indian food he had brought along, including ‘Gajar ka Halwa’ (a popular Indian dessert), which he shared with his fellow astronauts.
Shukla also recited “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” from the ISS, with the Indian national flag prominently displayed in the background. He described the profound experience of orbiting the Earth at an altitude of 400 km, observing the world as one unified family without borders or divisions—a stark contrast to the geopolitical boundaries that divide nations on Earth.
Shukla described his journey to the ISS not just as a personal achievement but as a “collective achievement of the entire nation.” He urged young Indians to work together towards building a ‘Vikshit Bharat’.
When PM Modi asked him to share a message for India’s youth, Shukla said, “Never stop trying and never give up on anything, success is bound to come sooner or later.”
Shukla has become the first Indian to reach the ISS as part of a commercial mission operated by Axiom Space. His milestone comes nearly 41 years after Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian to travel to space aboard a Russian spacecraft.
In closing, Prime Minister Modi told Shukla, “Your experiences will play a crucial role in all these future missions. I am confident that you are diligently recording every bit of your experience.”
The interaction concluded with both PM Modi and Shukla enthusiastically chanting “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” together.