'Bharat mata ki jai' slogan rings out at ISS as PM interacts with Shubhanshu Shukla

New Delhi | The 'Bharat mata ki jai' slogan reverberated on the International Space Station as Prime Minister Narendra Modi told astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla that his space travel was the first step towards India's Gaganyaan mission.

Interacting with Shukla, who is aboard the ISS orbiting the Earth at an altitude of 400 km, Modi said that the Lucknow-born astronaut's historic journey was not just limited to space but would add fresh momentum to the march towards 'Viksit Bharat' (developed India).

Shukla said his travel to the space station was not just a personal feat but a collective achievement of the entire nation.

"When I saw India for the first time from space, it appeared much larger and grander than on the map," Shukla told the Prime Minister in a video link from the space station.

"You can truly feel the sense of oneness, there are no borders, no lines. It feels as if this entire Earth is our home and we are all its citizens," Shukla said.

Shared gajar ka halwa, aam ras with fellow astronauts: Shukla tells PM Modi

New Delhi | India's Shubhanshu Shukla and other astronauts on the International Space Station relished delicacies such as 'gajar ka halwa', 'moong dal halwa' and 'aam ras' as they began their 14-day stay on the orbital lab.

Shukla shared these details in an 18-minute interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday from the International Space Station that is orbiting the earth at an altitude of 400 km.

"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 cuisine. All of us had it together and everyone liked it," Shukla told the prime minister.

Modi asked Shukla whether he had shared any Indian delicacies with his fellow astronauts.

Shukla reached the International Space Station on Thursday along with three other astronauts as part of the commercial Axiom-4 mission for a 14-day stay during which the crew will be part of a series of science experiments.

After reaching the orbital lab on Thursday, Shukla and the three astronauts spent the day settling in and setting up their sleeping quarters.

Commander Peggy Whitson is located in the Airlock, Shukla in Dragon, Slawosz "Suave" Uznanski-Wisniewski in Columbus, and Tibor Kapu in the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM).

They completed handover activities with the Expedition 73 crew and began acclimating to life in microgravity.

Key operational tasks were also completed, including unpacking cargo in Dragon and reviewing emergency protocols.

During the interaction, Shukla briefed the prime minister about various experiments being done in space.

Responding to how space differs from Earth, Shukla explained that everything in space feels different from the training on the ground. He added that his feet were tied while speaking to Prime Minister Modi; otherwise, he would start floating.

He said simple acts like drinking water or sleeping become significant challenges in space. Shukla explained that one can sleep on the ceiling, on the walls, or wherever, since orientation becomes fluid.

"Adjusting to this altered environment takes a day or two, but the experience is a beautiful harmony of science and wonder," he said.