Studying microalgae, muscle loss in microgravity: Shubhanshu Shukla tells PM Modi
Shukla, who is the second Indian to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma, reached the International Space Station on Thursday along with three other astronauts.
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India.com
2 hours ago
- India.com
From ‘Saare Jahan Se' To ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai': 2 PMs, 2 Space Icons & 41 Years Of Indian Space Glory
New Delhi: Forty-one years after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma captured the world's imagination with his now-iconic reply to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's question, 'Saare Jahan Se Achha,' India's space odyssey has come full circle with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla becoming the first Indian to fly to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the commercial Axiom Mission-4. On Saturday, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's heartfelt tribute from aboard the International Space Station (ISS) echoed across a more confident and space-ambitious India. His reply to PM Modi, 'Jab pehli baar Bharat ko dekha, Bharat sach mein bohot bhavya dikhta hain", wasn't just a poetic observation but was a moment that rippled through Indian memory, evoking the pride and emotion of a landmark echo from 41 years ago. Back in 1984, it was Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian in space, who famously replied to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's question, 'Upar se Bharat kaisa dikhta hai?', with words that have since been etched in the Indian consciousness: 'Saare Jahan Se Achcha.' That iconic phrase, drawn from poet Allama Iqbal's stirring patriotic verse, became symbolic of India's early ambitions in space. Sharma's presence aboard the Soviet Salyut 7 space station during a joint Indo-Soviet mission turned him into a national hero overnight. His words inspired generations of scientists, engineers, and schoolchildren dreaming of the stars. In 1984 Wing Commander and former Air Force Pilot Rakesh Sharma Rakesh Sharma is first Indian who travel to space make the history Former PM Indira Gandhi talk with Rakesh ji ! Watch and spread. — Ashish Singh (@AshishSinghKiJi) June 29, 2025 Shukla's mission marks a generational leap for India, from piggybacking on the Soviet space programme to becoming a trusted partner in cutting-edge global missions. The year 2025 delivers that India is no longer an aspiring space participant; it is a nation actively shaping the future of human spaceflight. Plans for the Gaganyaan mission, India's first manned spaceflight, are underway. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is eyeing its own space station and even lunar missions. Amidst this, Shubhanshu Shukla, a 39-year-old Indian Air Force pilot, has become the first Indian to reach the ISS, as part of a NASA-Axiom Space commercial mission. His reflections, shared during an 18-minute video call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, offered not just technical insight but emotional resonance. 'From here, you don't see borders. You see one Earth,' Shukla said. 'India looks huge from here, bigger than on any map.' Sky is never the limit. Bharat Mata Ki Jai — Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) June 28, 2025 In his call with PM Modi, Shukla spoke about the challenges of living in zero gravity, how even drinking water or sleeping requires effort and adaptation. He humorously described strapping his feet down during the call to avoid floating mid-sentence. To which PM Modi responded with, 'Today you are farthest from the motherland but closest to the hearts of 140 crore Indians.' The Indian astronaut also spoke about sharing carrot halwa, moong dal halwa, and aamras with international crewmates aboard the ISS. 'Everyone liked it,' he said, adding, 'They now want to visit India someday.' While Sharma's 1984 journey was a moment of symbolic pride, Shukla's 2025 mission is also a strategic milestone. It reflects India's transition from observer to active participant in global space exploration. As India prepares to launch its own human spaceflight mission (Gaganyaan) and develop a Bhartiya Antariksha Station, Shukla's journey reinforces national confidence. The two astronauts, under two Prime Ministers, now bookend four decades of Indian space ambition. Where Sharma's reply was poetic, Shukla's is declarative. Where Sharma flew under Soviet wings, Shukla carries India's flag to the ISS in collaboration with America. Shukla's message to the country carried the weight of history and the promise of the future. 'This is not just my achievement. This is a collective leap for our country,' he said, before concluding with the words: 'Bharat Mata ki Jai.'
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
'Gajar Ka Halwa In Zero Gravity': PM Modi's Fun Chat With Shubhanshu Shukla
During a live interaction from the International Space Station, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla responded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's light-hearted question about sharing 'gajar ka halwa' with his teammates. Shukla revealed that he brought along 'gajar ka halwa', 'moong dal ka halwa', and 'aam ras' to ISS. He told PM Modi that he wanted everyone from other countries on the mission to enjoy the rich flavors of Indian cuisine. #shubhanshushukla #pmmodi #iss #gajarkahalwa #moongdalhalwa #aamras #indianfoodinspace #axiom4 #internationalspacestation #indianastronaut #spacemissionindia #gaganyaan #zerogravity #astronautlife #indiainspace #spaceexploration #isro #nasa #toi #toibharat Read More
The Hindu
3 hours ago
- The Hindu
Axiom-4 mission: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla commences research activities aboard ISS
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who is aboard the International Space Station (ISS) has commenced research activities at the orbiting laboratory According to Axiom Space the crew members are fully immersed in their mission aboard the ISS having transitioned smoothly from arrival protocols to hands-on research. Axiom Space said that Shux (Group Captain Shukla mission call sign) spent time in the Life Sciences Glovebox (LSG) working on the Myogenesis experiment. 'This study aims to uncover the biological pathways behind skeletal muscle degradation in space—a major challenge for astronauts. By identifying these mechanisms, researchers hope to develop targeted therapies that could not only protect space travelers but also aid people suffering from muscle-degenerative diseases on Earth,' Axion Space said. ISRO has shortlisted seven microgravity research experiments proposed by Indian (PIs) from various national R&D laboratories and academic institutions which Group Captain Shukla would be conducting during his 14-day stay at the ISS. Myogenesis is one of the them which has been proposed by the Bengaluru based Institute of Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (InStem). ISRO has said the experience gained through this effort in implementation of the seven experiments is expected to nurture a microgravity research ecosystem in India resulting in the induction of advanced microgravity experiments in various disciplines in the Indian space programme. In addition to the seven experiments ISRO and NASA will also be participating in five joint science investigations and two in-orbit STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) demonstrations. Axiom said that the crew initiated the Cerebral Hemodynamics study, completing the first session after installing the necessary software. 'Using ultrasound technology, this research explores how blood circulates in the brain under microgravity conditions. The findings could improve our understanding of cardiovascular adaptation in space and inform medical diagnostics and treatments for conditions like stroke and hypertension on Earth,' it said. The Axiom-4 mission research complement includes around 60 scientific studies and activities representing 31 countries, including the U.S., India, Poland, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Nigeria, UAE, and nations across Europe.
