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Group Captain Shukla had described the launch as magical and reflected on his journey.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla | Image: PMO
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday talked to Shubhanshu Shukla, who is currently aboard the International Space Station as a part of the Axiom-4 mission. During the interaction, Shukla talked about various experiments being done in space.
Responding to how space differs from Earth, Shukla explained that everything in space feels different from the training on the ground. He added that his feet were tied while speaking to Prime Minister Modi; otherwise, he would start floating.
“Everything is different here. We trained for a year and I learnt about different systems…but after coming here, everything changed…Here, even small things are different because there is no gravity in space…Sleeping here is a big challenge…It takes some time to get used to this environment,” he added.
#WATCH | During his interaction with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, PM Modi asks him about the conditions in space and how he is adapting to it.Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla says, “Everything is different here. We trained for a year and I learnt about different… pic.twitter.com/Vlpd54sXa2
— ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2025
Hailing Shukla, PM Modi said that he might be away from his motherland, but he is still the closest to the hearts of Indians.
Responding to PM Modi, Shukla said,”Thank you, PM Modi, for your wishes and the wishes of 140 crore Indians. I am fine and safe here. I am feeling very good; this is a new experience. This journey is not only mine but the journey of the whole nation. Under your leadership, today’s India offers numerous opportunities to fulfil their dreams.”
Earlier, Group Captain Shukla had described the launch as “magical” and reflected on his journey.
“I am thrilled to be here with my fellow astronauts – what a ride it was. Honestly, as I sat in the capsule ‘Grace’ on the launchpad yesterday after 30 days of quarantine, all I could think was: just go. When the launch finally happened, it was something else entirely. You’re pushed back into the seat–and then suddenly, there’s silence. You’re just floating in the vacuum, and it’s magical,” he said.
Notably, Shukla is the first Indian to go on International Space Station.
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