logo
'India Looks Truly Majestic': Shubhanshu Shukla Echoes Rakesh Sharma's Iconic 1984 Response

'India Looks Truly Majestic': Shubhanshu Shukla Echoes Rakesh Sharma's Iconic 1984 Response

Time of India8 hours ago

TOI.in
/ Jun 29, 2025, 03:36PM IST
During a live interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the International Space Station, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla described how India looks from space. 'India appears truly grand from space,' he told the Prime Minister, adding that it looks even bigger than it does on a map. His remarks bring back memories of a historic moment in 1984 when then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi asked astronaut Rakesh Sharma how India looked from above. Sharma famously replied, 'Saare Jahan Se Achcha.' #shubhanshushukla #indiafromspace #pmmodi #rakesharma #saarejahanseachcha #iss #gaganyaan #indianastronaut #astronautlife #axiom4 #isro #nasa #iss #indiragandhi #historicmoment #toi #toibharat

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

'Family Doctor' Tracks Shubhanshu Shukla's Health In Space: European Flight Surgeon
'Family Doctor' Tracks Shubhanshu Shukla's Health In Space: European Flight Surgeon

NDTV

time4 hours ago

  • NDTV

'Family Doctor' Tracks Shubhanshu Shukla's Health In Space: European Flight Surgeon

New Delhi: Two days ago, astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla scripted history by becoming the first Indian on the International Space Station (ISS), albeit with a "heavy head and space sickness". In an exclusive interview with NDTV, European Space Agency's seasoned flight surgeon Dr Brigitte Godard assured that Mr Shukla is medically fit for space. With years of fighter pilot training and dedicated medical oversight, India's astronaut is ready to take on the rigours of microgravity. Incidentally, each astronaut has a family physician attached to take care of them. Concerns about Shux's health in space and the physiological toll of spaceflight are being addressed, said Dr Godard. She offered reassurance, stating that he is "well-trained" and "should be fairly fine in space." Flight surgeons, as Dr Godard explained, are not surgeons in the traditional sense. "Hopefully, we are not doing surgery in space," she said with a smile. Instead, they serve as physicians for astronauts, conducting weekly telemedicine check-ins during missions to monitor astronauts' health and address any medical concerns. "We interact during the flight every week with them to check every medical point," she added. European Space Agency's seasoned flight surgeon Dr Brigitte Godard. Mr Shukla, a decorated fighter pilot, has undergone years of rigorous training, both in aviation and in preparation for spaceflight. Dr Godard emphasised that his background makes him particularly resilient to the challenges of space. "He has many, many years' background of fighter pilots, so he will be safe and he has a good flight surgeon taking care of him," she said. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has deputed its space medicine specialist from the Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM) Dr Punyashlok Biswal as Shukla 'family physician' as he orbits the Earth. In 2019, it was IAM's then chief Air Vice Marshal Dr Anupam Agarwal who had helped select Mr Shukla and three other Indian astronaut designates for India's first batch of Gaganyatris. Spaceflight, even for short durations, can affect human biology and physiology. From fluid shifts and bone density loss to space motion sickness, astronauts face a range of potential issues. However, Dr Godard was confident that Mr Shukla's mission would be smooth. "This is a short flight, so we could expect maybe some space motion sickness, but I would not expect that much problem," she noted. The relationship between an astronaut and their flight surgeon begins long before lift-off. "His flight surgeon is already taking care of him since many years," Dr Godard said, highlighting the continuity of care and the deep understanding built over time. This long-term medical oversight ensures that any changes in health are tracked and managed proactively. When asked if the 1.4 billion citizens of India should be concerned about Captain Shukla's health in space, Dr Godard responded with calm assurance, "Captain Shukla should be fairly fine in space and they will be proud of him. I'm sure of that." The role of flight surgeons is more than just medical professionals. They are trusted companions on the astronaut's journey. "Flight surgeon doesn't seem like a good word, they are like family physicians or family doctors for the astronaut."

AX-4 crew fully immersed in their mission aboard ISS
AX-4 crew fully immersed in their mission aboard ISS

United News of India

time6 hours ago

  • United News of India

AX-4 crew fully immersed in their mission aboard ISS

Chennai, June 29 (UNI) The four member Ax-4 crew were fully immersed in their mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), Axiom Space said today. On the fourth day updates, it said Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) Commander Peggy Whitson, Indian Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla 'Shux,' Mission Specialist Sławosz 'Suave' Uznański-Wiśniewski, and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu are now fully immersed in their mission aboard the ISS wrapping up their day on orbit with a schedule full of scientific research and international outreach." The Ax-4 crew has transitioned smoothly from arrival protocols to hands-on research. With microgravity acclimation behind them, the crew is now diving into a diverse portfolio of experiments that could shape the future of medicine, agriculture, and space exploration, it said. Peggy led the charge on the 4th day yesterday with work on the Cancer in LEO-3 investigation. Building on previous Axiom Space missions, this study focuses on how cancer cells behave in microgravity. Specifically, it examines tumor organoids and how a new model of triple-negative breast cancer responds to drug treatments in space. "The goal? To validate earlier findings and potentially unlock new therapeutic strategies that could benefit patients on Earth and astronauts on long-duration missions", Axiom Space said. Shux 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. Tibor deployed the Rad Nano Dosimeter, a compact device designed to monitor radiation exposure aboard the space station. Understanding how radiation affects the human body in space is critical for planning future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. The data collected could also enhance Earth-based radiation monitoring technologies, benefiting industries from healthcare to environmental science. Tibor began setting up the Vitapric investigation. This plant biology experiment explores how plant growth primers affect the development of microgreens in space. The goal is to enhance the nutritional value of space-grown crops—boosting vitamins, proteins, and minerals--to support sustainable food production for future long-duration missions. In addition, 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. Shux also took part in a historic outreach event by speaking with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The conversation highlighted the growing global collaboration in space exploration and inspired audiences back on Earth. Peggy and Suave are also preparing to join Axiom Space Chief Scientist Dr. Lucie Low for a special discussion on space radiation. They'll talk about the radiation research being conducted during Ax-4 and how it could help protect astronauts on future deep space missions. UNI GV 1710

'India Looks Truly Majestic': Shubhanshu Shukla Echoes Rakesh Sharma's Iconic 1984 Response
'India Looks Truly Majestic': Shubhanshu Shukla Echoes Rakesh Sharma's Iconic 1984 Response

Time of India

time8 hours ago

  • Time of India

'India Looks Truly Majestic': Shubhanshu Shukla Echoes Rakesh Sharma's Iconic 1984 Response

/ Jun 29, 2025, 03:36PM IST During a live interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the International Space Station, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla described how India looks from space. 'India appears truly grand from space,' he told the Prime Minister, adding that it looks even bigger than it does on a map. His remarks bring back memories of a historic moment in 1984 when then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi asked astronaut Rakesh Sharma how India looked from above. Sharma famously replied, 'Saare Jahan Se Achcha.' #shubhanshushukla #indiafromspace #pmmodi #rakesharma #saarejahanseachcha #iss #gaganyaan #indianastronaut #astronautlife #axiom4 #isro #nasa #iss #indiragandhi #historicmoment #toi #toibharat

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store