Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in a video call with Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, currently on the International Space Station.
On June 25, Shukla and three fellow astronauts launched to the ISS using SpaceX’s Dragon capsule from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, as part of the Axiom-4 mission.
Pointing out that his name itself has “Shubh” (auspicious), the Prime Minister stated that the Group Captain’s successful voyage to space signifies the “shubh-aarambh” of a new era for the nation’s youth.
“At this moment, while we are speaking, the emotions of 1.4 billion Indians are linked to you. I am here embodying the enthusiasm, pride, and aspirations of all Indians. “While you take our national flag into space, I offer my sincere congratulations and wish you all the best for your mission,” the Prime Minister stated.
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In reply, Shukla mentioned he was safe and doing well on the Space Station, describing it as a “completely new experience.” He mentioned that he was very pleased to represent India in space.
The Prime Minister also asked Shukla how India appears from space, to which the Group Captain replied, “From space, India appears grand and larger than it does on the map.”
Shubhanshu Shukla also highlighted the significance of mindfulness, stating that it has a vital role. “We encounter numerous stressful scenarios, yet mindfulness assists us in remaining composed.”
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Following the successful launch of Axiom-4, PM Modi congratulated Shukla, the mission pilot, and extended his best wishes to the crew members: mission commander Peggy Whitson, and mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland, and Tibor Kapu from Hungary.
The Axiom-4 mission signifies the fruitful partnership between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), fulfilling a pledge from US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to launch the first Indian astronaut to the Space Station.
