'India Looks Breathtaking from Space!” — Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Tells PM Modi

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla via video conferencing. PM Modi said, “Today, though you are far from your motherland, you are closest to the hearts of Indians. Your name itself carries 'Shubh' (auspicious), and your journey marks the auspicious beginning of a new era. Along with me are the emotions of 140 crore Indians. My voice carries the excitement and energy of every Indian. Heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to you for hoisting India’s flag in space.”

'India Looks Bigger from Space'

During the conversation, Shubhanshu Shukla said, “India truly looks magnificent from space.”
PM Modi then asked, “Is everything well in space?”

PM Asks About 'Gajar Ka Halwa' 

PM Modi humorously asked, “You are in deep space where gravity is nearly zero — did you share the carrot halwa you took with your teammates?” Shubhanshu replied, “I brought a few things along, including carrot and moong dal halwa. We all sat together and enjoyed its taste.”

"You Got the Opportunity to Circumnavigate Mother Earth"

PM Modi said, “Circumambulation has long been a tradition in India. You got the opportunity to circle Mother Earth. Over which part of the planet are you passing right now?” Shubhanshu replied, “I don’t have that exact information right now. A little while ago, we were flying over Hawaii. We witness sunrise and sunset 16 times a day — the entire process is truly astonishing. We’re currently traveling at about 28,000 kilometers per hour. This speed symbolizes how fast our country is progressing.”

'What Was Your First Thought on Seeing Space?'

The Prime Minister asked, “What was the first question that came to your mind upon seeing the vastness of space?”
Shubhanshu said, “The first view I had from space was of Earth. From here, Earth looks like one single entity — no boundaries are visible. India truly looks grand from up here. From above, you realize that borders don't exist on Earth.”

'Adapting to Space Was a Challenge'

PM Modi asked, “After such extensive training, how different is the environment there?”
Shubhanshu replied, “Everything here is different. As soon as I arrived, everything changed. With no gravity, even simple tasks become difficult. Drinking water, walking, and sleeping are big challenges. Though the training was excellent, it takes a day or two to adjust to the environment.”

'India Lives Within Me — Mindfulness Is a Must in Space'

On the question of whether he continues to stay mentally connected with India during his space journey and whether meditation and mindfulness help in that setting, Shubhanshu said, “It’s true that India runs within my heart. Mindfulness helps a lot here because we go through many situations. Mindfulness plays a major role in coping with this environment.”