Foreign Astronauts Admire India’s Space Achievements: Shubhanshu Shukla to PM Modi

National News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla a day after his return to India following a landmark space mission. During the meeting, Shubhanshu shared his experiences from the mission and also spoke about the respect Indian astronauts receive from their international counterparts. In a video shared by the Prime Minister on social media, Shubhanshu described life aboard the space station. He explained that the absence of gravity makes everything feel different, and astronauts are able to float freely within the capsule.

The Prime Minister praised Shubhanshu Shukla for his courage and dedication, calling his journey an inspiration for the youth of India. He said that such achievements strengthen the nation’s confidence in its scientific capabilities and bring pride to every citizen. PM Modi also assured full government support to further India’s ambitions in space exploration, especially the upcoming Gaganyaan mission.

A wonderful conversation with Shubhanshu Shukla. Do watch! @gagan_shux https://t.co/C3l2TNnMpo

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 19, 2025

Physical changes in space

Shubhanshu revealed that the human body undergoes several transformations in space. “After reaching space, the heartbeat slows down. It takes about four to five days for the body to adapt to the new environment. When you return to Earth, the same changes happen again. No matter how healthy you are, it is difficult to walk immediately after landing,” he said.

He added that although he was perfectly healthy, he struggled to take his first steps upon returning. “I knew I had to walk, but my mind was still adjusting to the fact that I was back on Earth. People had to support me initially.”

Moong and fenugreek experiments

Shubhanshu also spoke about food-related challenges on the space station. Due to limited cargo capacity, growing food becomes essential. He highlighted how simple crops like moong and fenugreek can easily be grown in space. “They require little space, just some water, and germinate within 8–10 days. This makes them very useful for astronauts.”

Global admiration for India’s space program

Sharing his interactions with international astronauts, Shubhanshu said, “Wherever I went, people were excited to meet me. The most remarkable part was that everyone knew about India’s progress in space. Many were curious about the Gaganyaan mission. My crew members even made me sign a note promising that when Gaganyaan launches, I will invite them to experience the mission on India’s spacecraft.”