In a historic moment for India’s space journey, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held a video conversation with Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, who is currently stationed aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission. This inspiring interaction not only symbolized national pride but also rekindled the spirit of India’s space legacy.
Shukla Shares His First View of India from Space
Speaking from space, Shubhanshu Shukla expressed his emotions with heartfelt clarity.
“When I saw India for the first time from space, it looked much larger and more magnificent than on the map,” he said.
He further added that space provides a unique perspective:
“From up here, there are no borders, no lines. It truly feels like the entire Earth is one home, and we are all its citizens.”
This powerful reflection captured the essence of unity and underscored how space travel connects all of humanity.
PM Modi Calls It a Giant Leap for Viksit Bharat
Responding to Shukla’s message, Prime Minister Modi praised the astronaut’s historic achievement.
“You are the farthest from India, yet the closest to the hearts of every Indian,” he said with pride.
The Prime Minister emphasized that Shukla’s mission is not just a personal milestone but a major step toward India’s ambitious Gaganyaan project. According to him, this space journey marks the beginning of a new chapter in building a Viksit Bharat (Developed India).
To highlight the emotional significance, the Prime Minister ended the interaction with a thunderous “Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” which echoed proudly from the ISS.
Shukla Calls His Mission a Collective Achievement
Shukla humbly acknowledged the efforts of the entire nation behind his success.
“This isn’t just my journey,” he said. “It belongs to every Indian—our scientists, engineers, leaders, and young dreamers. Together, we’ve made this possible.”
His words reflected deep gratitude and showcased the power of collective ambition and national unity.
A Nod to History: From Rakesh Sharma to Shubhanshu Shukla
This conversation brought back memories of the iconic 1984 exchange between former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and India’s first astronaut, Rakesh Sharma. When asked, “Upar se Bharat kaisa dikhta hai?” Sharma famously replied,
“Saare Jahaan Se Achha.”
Now, over four decades later, Shubhanshu Shukla’s emotional observation—that India looks bigger and more majestic from space—adds a new milestone to the nation’s legacy in space exploration.
India’s Bold Leap Toward Space Leadership
With missions like Axiom-4 and the upcoming Gaganyaan human spaceflight, India is rapidly advancing as a global leader in space science. Moreover, this successful mission sends a strong message to the world—India is not just participating in space missions; it is shaping the future of human space exploration.