Axiom Mission-4: PM Modi interacts with Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla
- TPP
- Jun 28
- 3 min read
In a historic moment for India’s space journey, Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted on Saturday with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian astronaut to board the International Space Station (ISS). This milestone marks India’s entry into a new era of human space exploration.
Prime Minister Modi, addressing Captain Shukla during the live conversation, remarked, “You are farthest from India but closest to Indians’ hearts.” He further described the astronaut’s orbital journey as a modern-day "Parikrama" — a centuries-old Indian tradition of spiritual circumambulation — this time around Mother Earth itself. Extending his heartfelt congratulations, the Prime Minister hailed the mission as the auspicious beginning of a new age for India's space ambitions.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, visibly moved by the interaction, shared his pride in representing India on a global platform. Reflecting on his journey, he told Prime Minister Modi that as a child, he never imagined he would become an astronaut. However, he emphasized that under the current leadership, “today’s India offers numerous opportunities for people to fulfil their dreams.” His statement resonated with the nation’s growing focus on empowering youth and promoting science and technology.
Captain Shukla's mission is part of the Axiom-4 mission, which was launched on Wednesday from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United States. This mission is particularly significant because it makes Shukla the second Indian astronaut to travel into space — the first being Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, who flew aboard a Soviet mission in 1984. The gap of over four decades underscores the importance of this achievement for India’s space research community.
During the interaction, Prime Minister Modi asked Captain Shukla about the contrast between his rigorous training on Earth and the real conditions aboard the ISS. Captain Shukla responded by highlighting how theoretical knowledge about zero gravity—a condition where gravity is so minimal that objects appear to be weightless—falls short of preparing one for the actual experience. He said that even simple acts like drinking water or sleeping become complex challenges in microgravity, showing the adaptability astronauts need in space.
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The astronaut emphasized that his journey is not a personal victory but a collective achievement for the entire nation. He urged the youth to dream big, saying, “the sky is never the limit,” and expressed hope that India will soon have its own space stations—permanent structures in space where astronauts can live and work for extended periods. Captain Shukla also shared a touching moment when he described seeing India from space for the first time:
“It looks very grand and much bigger than what we see on the map.”
Prime Minister Modi further inquired whether any of the space experiments aboard the ISS could benefit sectors like agriculture or healthcare. In response, Captain Shukla explained that for the first time, Indian scientists have developed seven unique scientific experiments that he has carried to the ISS. One such experiment focuses on stem cells—undifferentiated cells capable of developing into different cell types—which are being studied in space to understand muscle loss in a zero-gravity environment. He explained that this research could have direct applications on Earth, particularly in aiding elderly individuals who suffer from age-related muscle degeneration.
He also pointed out that biological processes occur faster in space due to the unique conditions, enabling scientists to gather results much quicker than they could on Earth. This accelerated research timeline can significantly advance scientific understanding and speed up the development of treatments and technologies for practical use back home.
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