In a defining moment for the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a historic interaction with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian astronaut in over four decades to reach space. Shukla, currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission, represents both a personal triumph and a national milestone. His journey not only celebrates the brilliance of Indian science but also underlines the growing strategic collaboration between ISRO and NASA — a vision first articulated during PM Modi’s 2019 visit to the United States.
The Axiom-4 mission, which launched on June 25 via SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, docked with the ISS on June 27. From that point, Shukla’s presence aboard the ISS became a beacon of national pride. In his conversation with the astronaut, Prime Minister Modi captured the emotional weight of the moment by saying, “You are farthest from India, but closest to Indians’ hearts.” This statement reflected how every Indian feels connected to Shukla, despite the vast distance between them and him in space.
During the interaction, PM Modi also remarked that Shukla’s mission marks a “shubh-aarambh” — an auspicious beginning — for India’s youth. Playing on the meaning of Shukla’s first name, ‘Shubh,’ Modi emphasized that this mission is not just about one man’s success but about inspiring a whole generation to aim higher and dream bigger, particularly in the realm of science and space.
Adding a touch of humor and culture, the Prime Minister asked if Shukla had offered his fellow astronauts some Indian sweets — particularly gajar ka halwa — which he had carried aboard. Shukla responded with a smile, sharing that the halwa and other Indian delicacies were indeed enjoyed by the crew. The moment underscored how Indian traditions, including our culinary identity, accompany us wherever we go — even to space.
When asked what India looked like from the vastness of orbit, Shukla answered with a mix of emotion and awe, saying, “India looks grand and bigger from space than it does on the map.” His words captured the breathtaking beauty and symbolic enormity of the homeland as viewed from beyond the Earth. This perspective, he added, deepens the sense of pride and responsibility one feels as an Indian.
The interaction ended on a powerful and motivational note as Shukla told the Prime Minister and the nation, “The sky is never the limit — not for you, not for me, and certainly not for India.” He emphasized the importance of mindfulness and perseverance for the youth, stating that if young Indians strive to build their future with discipline and vision, the future of the nation will thrive as well.
Beyond symbolic pride, Shukla’s mission is rooted in serious scientific ambition. Of the 60 experiments being conducted aboard the ISS during the Axiom-4 mission, he will lead seven, showcasing India’s contribution to global research in fields like biotechnology, earth sciences, and space medicine. His presence in space is a powerful reminder that India’s space legacy — from Aryabhata to Chandrayaan and now to the ISS — is not only intact but evolving.
As the mission continues, India watches with pride, knowing that one of its own now floats among the stars — not just as a representative of ISRO or the military, but as a symbol of what India can achieve when it dares to dream big.
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