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India.com
2 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
'Gajar ka halwa aur aamras lekar aaya hoon': Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla carries India's spirit to space
'Gajar ka halwa aur aamras lekar aaya hoon': Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla carries India's spirit to space In a truly historic moment for India, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian to travel to the International Space Station (ISS). He is now the second Indian ever to go to space, and his achievement has made the entire country proud. While orbiting 400 kilometres above Earth, Captain Shukla had a live video call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The conversation was full of warmth and emotion and was watched by people all over the country. 'India look bigger than the map' One of the most touching things Captain Shukla said during the chat was: 'When I saw India from space, it looked much bigger than how it appears on the map.' This simple line moved many people. From space, there are no borders or divisions, just one land, one country, one identity. It was a powerful moment showing how far India has come. A New chapter for India PM Modi praised Shukla for making history and said that his journey marks the beginning of a new era for India in space. 'Even your name has 'shubh' (auspicious) in it, and your journey is a 'shubh aarambh' (a good start) to a new age,' the Prime Minister said. He also added with emotion: 'Right now, 140 crore Indians are feeling proud and connected to you. I am not speaking to you just as a Prime Minister, but as a voice for every Indian's pride and hope.' A Dream Come True Captain Shukla, calm and smiling from the ISS, replied: 'I'm safe, healthy, and thankful to be here. This is the start of a new era for India.' He also shared that he never imagined going to space would be possible for him. 'But under your leadership, India has not only learned to dream big but also found the courage to make those dreams come true.' Gajar Ka Halwa Travels to the ISS In the middle of a historic space mission, there was a warm and unexpected surprise aboard the spacecraft: gajar ka halwa, India's famous carrot dessert, along with aamras (mango pulp). Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, speaking with a smile, said: 'I brought gajar ka halwa and aamras with me… it's not just about taste, it's a piece of home and memories.' 'Main gajar ka halwa aur aamras lekar aaya hoon… yeh sirf swaad nahi, yeh ghar ki yaadon ka ek hissa hai,' Captain Shukla said in Hindi. This small but heartfelt gesture brought a bit of Indian culture and comfort to space. His fellow astronauts, Peggy Whitson from the US, Sawosz Uznanski from Poland, and Tibor Kapu from Hungary — got their first taste of Indian hospitality, floating 400 km above Earth. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, clearly pleased by the gesture, praised the cultural moment and gently reminded Captain Shukla of the great responsibility he carries, representing India not just in science, but in spirit. (With IANS inputs)


News18
2 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Gajar Ka Halwa To India From Space: Top Moments From PM Modi's Chat With Shubhanshu Shukla
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his best wishes to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and inquired about his well-being in space. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who is aboard the International Space Station as part of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission, engaged in a deep conversation via video conferencing, covering a range of topics. Shubhanshu Shukla, along with three fellow astronauts, lifted off for the International Space Station on June 25 aboard SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft, launching from NASA's Kennedy Space Center as part of the Axiom-4 mission. At first, the Prime Minister extended his best wishes to the Group Captain and inquired about his well-being in space. 'I congratulate you on hoisting India's flag in space. First of all, tell me — is everything well there? Are you in good health?" asked PM Modi. 'Yes, Prime Minister," Shukla replied. 'Gajar Ka Halwa' India From Space When the Prime Minister asked Shukla about his first thought that came to mind upon seeing the vastness of space, the astronaut explained in detail about his experience. '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," said Shukla. Describing the view of India from space, he said: 'When we saw India for the first time, we saw that India really looks very grand, looks very big, much bigger than what we see on the map. 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." #WATCH | Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla says '…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… When we see the Earth from outside, it seems that no border exists, no state exists, and no countries… — ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2025 While replying to PM Modi's question about his current position in space, Shukla mentioned that a short while ago, while gazing out of the window, they were flying over Hawaii. He noted that from orbit, astronauts witness sunrise and sunset 16 times a day and added that the nation is advancing at a rapid pace. Meditation And Mindfulness During the interaction, Shukla explained that mindfulness plays a vital role in staying calm, especially given the many stressful situations encountered during training and launch. He added that mindfulness and meditation greatly aid in making sound decisions. '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," Shukla said. The Group Captain also conveyed a message to the youth, noting that India has envisioned bold and ambitious dreams, and fulfilling them requires the contribution of the younger generation. He stressed that while there is no single path to success, persistent effort is the one constant, and with continued determination, success is inevitable, whether it arrives sooner or later. Axiom-4 Mission Shukla made history on Thursday by becoming the first Indian astronaut to reach the ISS, as the Axiom-4 mission successfully docked with the orbiting lab 28 hours after launch. The Axiom-4 mission marks a commercial effort between Houston-based Axiom Space and NASA. Over the course of their 14-day stay aboard the International Space Station, the crew will carry out 60 scientific experiments, including seven proposed by Indian scientists. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, now the second Indian to venture into space after Rakesh Sharma's 1984 journey, is also expected to take part in a space-to-Earth outreach event, which may include a high-level interaction from orbit. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 28, 2025, 19:30 IST News india Gajar Ka Halwa To India From Space: Top Moments From PM Modi's Chat With Shubhanshu Shukla


News18
4 days ago
- Business
- News18
Morning Digest: Trump Hints At ‘Very Big' India-US Trade Deal & Other Top Stories
Last Updated: US and India can close a 'big' trade deal before July 9 and other top stories you need to know. ☀️Good Morning, India! From US President Donald Trump teasing a big India trade deal to space-bound 'Gajar Halwa' and monsoon dreams in Udaipur, here's your daily dose of top news. Just days after finalising a deal with China, Donald Trump hinted at a 'very big" trade deal with India. The deal could land before July 9. 🔗 Read more 🚀 Gajar Ka Halwa In Space! Shubhanshu Shukla Reaches ISS Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla has reached the International Space Station (ISS), carrying mango nectar and gajar halwa to keep a taste of home close. 🔗 Find out more First Published: June 27, 2025, 09:49 IST