Modi talks to Group Captain Shukla, says this mission is first step towards India's own space station
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a conversation with astronaut
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla
, who is at the International Space Station, on Saturday in which the two discussed the experiments the latter is conducting during his stay and how it will benefit the country in sectors like agriculture and health. Modi emphasized that this is 'the first chapter' in the march towards the
Gaganyaan mission
and establishment of India's own space station in the near future.
In an interaction that lasted 18 minutes, Shukla shared his experiences and challenges during his space journey. With the Indian flag as the background, India's second man in space said he is conducting seven unique experiments designed by Indian scientists, including stem cell research.
Shukla's message to India's youth was to 'never stop trying and never give up'. Success, he said, will come sooner or later. 'Sky is never the limit. Not for me, not for you and not for the country,' he added.
Prime Minister Modi said he sees Shukla's flight as a part of the goals of launching Gaganyaan, establishing India's own space station and landing an Indian on the moon. He emphasized that Shukla's experiences will help in this endeavour.
Shukla assured the PM that he is absorbing all knowledge 'like a sponge' and his learnings will help in India's future missions.
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The prime minister said this mission will give impetus to India's
Viksit Bharat program
. 'India is going to open the doors to future space missions of the world. Now India will not just fly missions but prepare the stage for other space flights,' Modi said.
Shukla said from space, earth is visible as one without any national boundaries and one gets the feeling of oneness with all its inhabitants. Expressing his gratitude towards 140 Crore Indians for their wishes, he said India appears grander in 3-D from space.
Prime Minister Modi gave his good wishes to the astronaut and asked about his well-being.
'You are farthest from your motherland but let me assure you that you are close to the heart of all Indians… Though at present just the two of us are talking to each other, the feelings of 140 Crore Indians are with us. The enthusiasm and excitement of all Indians is a part of this,' Modi said.
Shukla maintained that while growing up he had never imagined he would become an astronaut one day and the way India is marching ahead today makes this possible.
He shared that he witnesses 16 sunrises and sunsets every day and the space station is moving at a speed of 28,000 kilometres per hour.
Shukla said he has shared with fellow astronauts the gajar and moong halwa he is carrying with him. He wanted them to know about India's rich culinary heritage, he added.
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