On Saturday, Shubhanshu Shukla had a conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi from space. During the discussion, Shubhanshu offered valuable advice to the youth, saying, 'I would like to tell the younger generation that India is advancing rapidly. We have envisioned enormous growth, dreams that require your contribution to be fulfilled. Also, know that there's no singular path to success. Persist in your efforts and never give up. If you adopt the mantra of never giving up, success is inevitable, even if it comes later.'
Shubhanshu mentioned that entering space taught him significantly, but now he feels it's a monumental achievement for our nation. He wants to inspire the youth by saying, 'Your hard work and successful future will naturally contribute to a brighter future for the country. Always keep in mind—'The sky is never the limit.' Cherish this mantra.'
During his experiments in space, Shubhanshu is focusing on the growth of microgreens, which are small but highly nutritious. If a process is developed for their mass cultivation, it could greatly benefit food security on Earth. The major advantage of space is that everything accelerates significantly, eliminating the need for months or years of waiting.
'We witness 16 sunrises and 16 sunsets in one day.'
When PM Modi inquired about which part of Earth Shubhanshu was over, he noted, 'Moments ago, I was gazing out the window while passing over Hawaii. We orbit 16 times a day, resulting in witnessing 16 sunrises and 16 sunsets. It's truly an astonishing experience. We travel at about 28,000 kilometers per hour. Although this speed isn't noticeable since we are seated inside, it epitomizes the pace at which India is advancing.
'India looks majestic and vast from space.'
When asked by PM Modi about his first impression of space's vastness, Shubhanshu reflected, 'Upon entering space for the first time, the initial view was Earth itself. My first thought was that Earth appears undivided; you cannot see borders from here. Another key realization was that observing India from here made it look majestic. When we study India's map along with other countries, it doesn't do justice. India appears truly grand and expansive. It makes one realize that borders, states, or countries might not exist; rather, this Earth is our home, and we are its residents.'
