"Everyone Liked Gajar Halwa, Aam Ras": Shubhanshu Shukla Tells PM Modi From Space
New Delhi:
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to reach International Space Station, told Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday that he brought "gajar ka halwa, moong dal ka halwa and aam ras" with him and other astronauts with him liked the Indian delicacies.
The Prime Minister, who interacted with Group Captain Shukla, asked about his well-being and if he had tasted the 'Gajar ka halwa' he took with him.
Yes, I brought gajar ka halwa, moong dal ka halwa and aam ras. I wanted everyone who has joined me from other countries to enjoy the rich Indian culinary. All of us had it together and everyone liked it," Group Captain Shukla said.
He said that India looks "very big and grand" from the Space.
" Jab pehli baar Bharat ko dekha, Bharat sach mein bohat bhavya dikta hain, jitna ham map pe dekhten hain, usse kahin jyada bada (When we saw India for the first time, we saw that India looks very grand, very big, much bigger than what we see on the map)," Group Captain Shukla said during his interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"A short while ago, when I was looking out of the window, we were flying over Hawaii. We see sunrise and sunset 16 times a day from the orbit...Our nation is moving forward at a very great pace," he added.
Speaking aboard the ISS, Group Captain Shukla also said that it looks from space that no borders exit on Earth.
"The first view was of the Earth and after seeing the Earth from outside, the first thought and the first thing that came to mind was that the Earth looks completely one, no border is visible from outside. When we see the Earth from outside, it seems that no border exists, no state exists, no countries exist. We all are part of humanity, and the Earth is our one home, and all of us are in it," he said.
Group Captain Shukla, who is second Indian to reach Space, said he feels very proud as India has reached the International Space Station and it collective achievement of the country.
He said he is feeling very emotional and happy after the conversation with PM Modi.
He urged youth to work hard, never stop trying and said "the sky is never the limit".
"I am feeling very emotional and happy after having a conversation with you and 140 crore Indians. I feel very proud as India has reached the International Space Station...I have learnt a lot in the entire journey. This is a collective achievement of the whole nation...I want to send a message to the younger generation that if you work hard, the future of the nation will be good. The sky is never the limit," Group Captain Shukla said.
"The message I would like to give our young generation is that India has seen very bold and high dreams and to fulfil those dreams, we need all of you. There is no single way to success, but one thing that is common in every path is that you should never stop trying. If you adopt this basic mantra, then success may come today or tomorrow, but it will definitely come," he added.
With India's first human Space mission "Gaganyaan" programme having entered its final phase, Shubhanshu Shukla said he is absorbing all the lessons and experience like a sponge.
"I am confident that these lessons will be highly valuable for us and that we will apply them effectively in the coming missions," he said.
"India is progressing at a swift pace...India will have its stations in space...Mindfulness plays a significant role in maintaining calmness, as there are many stressful situations during training and launch. Mindfulness and meditation help a lot in making good decisions," he added.
PM Modi said that after the success of Chandrayaan, the youth of the country have developed a new interest towards science.
"There is a new enthusiasm to explore space... Today, children not only look at the sky, but they think they can reach it. This spirit is the base of our future space missions... We have to take Mission Gaganyan forward, we have to make our own space station, and we have to ensure that an Indian astronaut lands on the Moon," PM Modi said.
Group Captain Shukla said Indian scientists have prepared seven unique experiments for the mission.
"I can say with great pride that for the first time Indian scientists have prepared seven unique experiments which I have brought here to the station. The first experiment, which is scheduled today, is on stem cells...My experiment focuses on how we can prevent or delay muscle loss in space by taking a specific supplement. We will also see if these supplements can be beneficial for older people on Earth as well," he said.
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Important topics and their relevance in UPSC CSE exam for June 29, 2025. If you missed the June 28, 2025, UPSC CSE exam key from the Indian Express, read it here. Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc. Mains Examination: General Studies II: Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure. What's the ongoing story: The political debate on the Emergency-era inclusion of the expressions 'secular' and 'socialist' to the Preamble of the Constitution is once again heating up, but court rulings and parliamentary debates in the past have always upheld the 42nd Constitutional amendment. Key Points to Ponder: • Read about the Preamble of the Indian Constitution. 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The bench said that the 'terms have achieved widespread acceptance, with their meanings understood by 'We, the people of India' without any semblance of doubt.' • 'The additions to the Preamble have not restricted or impeded legislation or policies pursued by elected governments, provided such actions did not infringe upon fundamental and constitutional rights or the basic structure of the Constitution. Therefore, we do not find any legitimate cause or justification for challenging this constitutional amendment after nearly 44 years,' the ruling said. • Even before the 42nd amendment introduced 'socialist' and 'secular' in the Preamble, a 13-judge bench in the landmark 1973 Kesavananda Bharati ruling held that secularism is a basic feature of the Constitution that cannot be done away with. • 'The secular character of the state, according to which the state shall not discriminate against any citizen on the ground of religion only, cannot likewise be done away with,' the ruling states. • In another landmark ruling in 1980, Minerva Mills v Union of India, which also debated more constitutional amendments made during the Emergency, the Court recognised 'socialism' was a constitutional ideal for the framers. 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These ideals emerged out of the numerous debates that took place during the drafting of the Constitution. • During the debates in the Constituent Assembly, members such as K T Shah and Brajeshwar Prasad had raised the demand to add these words to the preamble. However, Dr B R Ambedkar argued: 'What should be the policy of the State, how the Society should be organised in its social and economic side are matters which must be decided by the people themselves according to time and circumstances. It cannot be laid down in the Constitution itself because that is destroying democracy altogether.' Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍UPSC Issue at a Glance | 50 Years of Emergency: From causes to constitutional implications 📍'You don't want India to be secular?': SC asks petitioners challenging inclusion of 'secularism', 'socialism' in Preamble 📍The history and debates about 'socialist' and 'secular' in the preamble of the Constitution Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: (1) The Preamble to the Constitution of India is (UPSC CSE 2020) (a) a part of the Constitution but has no legal effect (b) not a part of the Constitution and has no legal effect either (c) part of the Constitution and has the same legal effect as any other part (d) a part of the Constitution but has no legal effect independently of other parts (2) What was the exact constitutional status of India on 26th January, 1950? (UPSC CSE 2021) (a) A Democratic Republic (b) A Sovereign Democratic Republic (c) A Sovereign Secular Democratic Republic (d) A Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme: How is the Indian concept of secularism different from the western model of secularism? Discuss. (UPSC CSE 2016) Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc. Mains Examination: General Studies II: Salient features of the Representation of People's Act What's the ongoing story: The Election Commission (EC), which began its 'special intensive revision' of Bihar's electoral rolls this week, said on Saturday that out of the total 7.89 crore electors in the state, 4.96 crore, who were on the rolls as on January 1, 2003, only have to fill and submit the new enumeration form. 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Do You Know: • The ECI is a permanent, independent, and constitutional authority responsible for conducting free and fair elections in the Union and the States of India. • The ECI is empowered to supervise, oversee, and manage elections to Parliament, state legislatures, and the offices of President and Vice-President of India. Since the ECI does not oversee elections to state-level urban bodies like municipalities and panchayats, there is a separate State Election Commission. • The Constitution has the following articles (Articles 324–329) to empower the Election Commission and provide insight into the potential roles and functions of the commission. • Article 324: The superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of the electoral rolls for, and the conduct of, all elections to Parliament and the Legislature of every state and of elections to the offices of President and Vice-President. • Article 325: No individual to be excluded from electoral rolls on the basis of religion, race, caste, sex or any of them. • Article 326: Adult suffrage shall be the basis for elections to the House of the People and to the Legislative Assemblies of States. • Article 327: Parliament may, according to the provisions of this Constitution, from time to time enact laws with respect to all matters relating to elections to Parliament and Legislative Assemblies of States. • Article 328: A state's Legislature may from time to time by law make provision with respect to all matters relating to, or in connection with, the elections to the House or either House of the Legislature. • Article 329: The article prohibits the courts from becoming involved in electoral matters. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Starting with Bihar, fresh electoral rolls: Proof of birth date for those not in 2003 list 📍Revision of Bihar electoral rolls: Why, how Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: (3) Consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2017) 1. The Election Commission of India is a five-member body. 2. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs decides the election schedule for the conduct of both general elections and bye-elections. 3. Election Commission resolves the disputes relating to splits/mergers of recognised political parties. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 3 only Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national importance and Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, Political System. Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Constitution of India —historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure, Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein. What's the ongoing story: Chief Justice of India B R Gavai on Saturday said the Supreme Court (SC) upheld the abrogation of Article 370, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, 'so that the country is governed by only one Constitution', as envisioned by Dr B R Ambedkar. The CJI was in Nagpur for the inauguration of a 'Constitution Preamble Park' and unveiling of Ambedkar's statue at a law college. Key Points to Ponder: • What was article 370? • What is the significance of the removal of Article 370? • What was the SC judgement on Article 370? • What are the constitutional provisions related to the formation and alteration of states? • What are the federal and unitary features of the Indian Constitution? • Why is Article 32 called the heart and soul of the Constitution? • Compare the Indian model of federalism with the United States model of federalism. • How India's federal structure balances centralisation and decentralisation. • What are the constitutional provisions for special status to states in India? Discuss the rationale and implications of such provisions with examples. Key Takeaways: • The CJI was part of the five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court, led by then CJI D Y Chandrachud, that, in December 2023, upheld the Centre's decision to abrogate Article 370. • 'When Parliament abrogated Article 370 and the challenge against it came before us, during the hearing I had referred to Dr Ambedkar's speech. He had said that in the United States of America, there is a Constitution of the federal government which governs very limited subjects and every state also has its Constitution which has more scope,' CJI Gavai said. • 'That is why Dr Ambedkar had said that this country needs only one Constitution to keep it united. Before abrogation of Article 370, a separate Constitution for just one state was not as per Ambedkar's vision or thinking and, therefore, we unanimously upheld Parliament's decision so that the country will be governed by only one Constitution,' he said. • 'Even though our Constitution is federal, it is not like that of America. It is federal as well as unitary at the same time. Many had alleged that the Constitution provides for excessive centralisation and that the country may not remain united during times of war. To them, Babasaheb had responded firmly, he said that the Constitution is neither overly centralised nor excessively federal. It is well-suited to meet all challenges. And he assured the nation that the Constitution will keep the country united in times of both war and peace,' the CJI said. • Reflecting on Ambedkar's critical role in the making of the Constitution, the CJI recalled his emphasis on enforceable rights, citing Article 32 as the heart and soul of the Constitution. • 'Babasaheb said rights mean little if there are no remedies to enforce them,' he said. 'That is why today we see Article 32 in the Constitution which we call the right to remedy in case of violation of fundamental rights, which can be directly raised before the Supreme Court. Its root lies in Ambedkar's speech on December 17, 1946,' he said, adding that Ambedkar also insisted on ensuring social and economic equality alongside political rights. Do You Know: • On August 5, 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the abrogation of Article 370 and end of 'special status' for the state of Jammu and Kashmir, and subsequently, Parliament used its powers under Article 3 of the Constitution, for the first time, to withdraw statehood and create two Union Territories. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Explained: Key aspects of Supreme Court's Article 370 verdict 📍Article 370 abrogation upheld: How SC answered three key questions in the government's favour UPSC Prelims Practice Question Covering similar theme: (4) Consider the following statements regarding Article 370 and its abrogation: 1. Article 370 granted special status to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. 2. The Supreme Court upheld the abrogation of Article 370 in 2023 by a Constitution Bench decision. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme: Winning of Hearts and Minds' in terrorism-affected areas is an essential step in restoring the trust of the population. Discuss the measures adopted by the Government in this respect as part of the conflict resolution in Jammu and Kashmir. 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(Thought Process: The historical evolution of the India-Sri Lanka relationship, trade cooperation, challenges, and new areas of cooperation.) • What is the neighbourhood-first policy? • How does India's acquisition of Colombo Dockyard PLC in Sri Lanka as a strategic response to China's expanding influence in the Indian Ocean Region reflect India's maritime diplomacy? • Read about the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision? • Examine critically how China's control over Hambantota Port can impact India's security and foreign policy in South Asia. • How is China's port diplomacy in Sri Lanka a challenge to India's strategic autonomy in its immediate neighbourhood? • How can India's investment-led strategic partnerships with neighbouring countries serve as a soft power tool to counterbalance China's economic diplomacy? • What initiatives have been taken by the government to promote the neighbourhood first policy? • What are the recent challenges in the India-Sri Lanka relationship? Key Takeaways: • Announcing its decision on Friday, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) had said: 'Located in the Port of Colombo, Colombo Dockyard PLC (CDPLC) gives MDL a strategic foothold in the Indian Ocean Region — a key maritime corridor.' • CDPLC, listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange, is the flagship of Sri Lanka's maritime industry and serves a wide spectrum of commercial and governmental clients across Asia, Middle East and Africa. Officials from both the Sri Lankan and Indian governments worked overtime to conclude this strategic deal on Sri Lanka's largest shipyard, said sources. • At the end of November 2024, Onomichi Dockyard exited from CDPLC. At this point, officials said, the Sri Lankan government requested the Indian government to encourage Indian investors to look at Colombo Dockyard. • 'A few companies, with strong credentials, expressed an interest in CDPLC. As per the due process followed for a listed company, MDL was shortlisted in view of its prowess in shipbuilding as well as its financial strength. Both these aspects are key for the turnover of Colombo Dockyard,' the official said. • MDL's decision is expected to significantly change the shipbuilding and ship repair landscape in the region. With CDPLC its first international venture, it is seen as a major milestone in the company's transformation from a purely domestic shipbuilder into a regional maritime player with global aspirations. • The move is expected to boost the existing revenue stream from the Indian sub-continent's ship repairs. A number of orders for which potential clients are approaching MDL can be diverted to CDPLC, the official said. • The move comes amid concerns in New Delhi over Beijing's persistent attempts to expand its strategic influence in the island nation. • China Merchants Port Holdings holds an 85% stake in Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) and secured a 99-year lease on the Hambantota International Port (HIP) in Sri Lanka in 2017. In July 2024, CDPLC and HIPG signed an agreement to set up a full-fledged workshop at HIP. Do You Know: • Neighbourhood First policy guides India's relations with countries in its immediate neighbourhood. It focuses on creating mutually beneficial, people-oriented, regional frameworks for stability and prosperity through the building of physical, digital and people-to-people connectivity. • India and Sri Lanka share a multifaceted relationship characterized by deep historical ties, economic cooperation, and strategic collaboration. The both nation continues to build upon their historical connections, focusing on economic development, defense cooperation, and cultural exchanges to foster a robust and mutually beneficial partnership. Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: (5) Consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE, 2020) 1. The value of Indo-Sri Lanka trade has consistently increased in the last decade. 2. 'Textile and textile articles' constitute an important item of trade between India and Bangladesh. 3. In the last five years, Nepal has been the largest trading partner of India in South Asia. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme: India is an age-old friend of Sri Lanka.' Discuss India's role in the recent crisis in Sri Lanka in the light of the preceding statement. 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Key Points to Ponder: • What is a Financial Conditions Index (FCI)? • How will FCI improve real-time monitoring of financial stability? • How do financial market indicators such as G-Secs, corporate bonds, and forex influence India's financial conditions? • What are the advantages of using a standardised Financial Conditions Index in economic analysis? • How can FCI complement other macroeconomic indicators like inflation, interest rate trends, and growth forecasts? • Read about the RBI and its role in the Indian economy. Key Takeaways: • The proposed FCI would serve as a composite indicator, designed to capture and reflect the prevailing conditions across key segments of the financial system — including the money market, government securities (G-sec), corporate bonds, equities, and the foreign exchange market. • According to the RBI research study, the index aims to provide a high-frequency gauge of how tight or easy financial market conditions are, relative to their historical average since 2012. • By aggregating signals from various market-based indicators, the FCI is expected to offer valuable insights into the broader financial environment, potentially aiding policymakers, analysts, and market participants in decision-making. The proposed construction marks a significant step towards improving the assessment of macro-financial dynamics in India's rapidly evolving financial landscape. • Financial conditions continued to remain relatively easy since mid-2023 before firming up from November 2024. In the current financial year, however, it has remained congenial riding on a buoyant equity market and a money market suffused with liquidity, the study said.'The newly constructed FCI for India assesses the degree of relatively tight or easy financial market conditions with reference to its historical average since 2012. • The FCI is based on twenty financial market indicators at daily frequency for a long period and closely tracks the turning points in financial conditions, as observed across major episodes in the sample period,' it said. • The study said a higher positive value of the FCI is indicative of tighter financial conditions. To present our results, we use the standardised FCI. Standardisation helps in interpreting the changes in financial condition in terms of standard deviation units. Do You Know: • The Reserve Bank of India was established on April 1, 1935 in accordance with the provisions of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. The Central Office of the Reserve Bank was initially established in Kolkata but was permanently moved to Mumbai in 1937. Though originally privately owned, since nationalisation in 1949, the Reserve Bank is fully owned by the Government of India. • The Preamble of the Reserve Bank of India describes the basic functions of the Reserve Bank as: 'to regulate the issue of Bank notes and keeping of reserves with a view to securing monetary stability in India and generally to operate the currency and credit system of the country to its advantage; to have a modern monetary policy framework to meet the challenge of an increasingly complex economy, to maintain price stability while keeping in mind the objective of growth.' Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: (6) Which of the following are the sources of income for the Reserve Bank of India? (UPSC CSE 2025) I. Buying and selling Government bonds II. Buying and selling foreign currency III. Pension fund management IV. Lending to private companies V. Printing and distributing currency notes Select the correct answer using the code given below. (a) I and II only (b) II, III and IV (c) I, III, IV and V (d) I , II and V Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – Indian Express UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for June 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Roshni Yadav is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She is an alumna of the University of Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru University, where she pursued her graduation and post-graduation in Political Science. She has over five years of work experience in ed-tech and media. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. Her interests lie in national and international affairs, governance, economy, and social issues. You can contact her via email: ... Read More
