🛰️ Gajar ka Halwa in Space: Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Shares Indian Flavours with the World
June 28, 2025 | 11:23 PM IST
By Sohil Sehran
In a proud moment for every Indian, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to set foot aboard the International Space Station (ISS), revealed during a heartfelt video interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he carried Indian delicacies like gajar ka halwa, moong dal halwa, and aam ras with him to space.
The astronaut said he brought these iconic Indian sweets to offer his international crewmates a taste of India — a symbol of cultural pride that transcended gravity.
👨🚀 A Mission Beyond Earth and Borders
Speaking from the ISS, which orbits the Earth 16 times a day, Shukla shared:
“I brought gajar ka halwa, moong dal ka halwa, and aam ras so that fellow astronauts could experience the richness of Indian flavours. All of us had it together, and everyone liked it.”
This simple gesture from outer space turned into a powerful display of India’s soft power — its cuisine, warmth, and hospitality.
🗣️ PM Modi’s Heartfelt Interaction
During the 18-minute video call, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Shukla for hoisting the tricolour in space, asking fondly:
“Is everything fine there? Are you well? Did you carry gajar ka halwa?”
Shukla’s cheerful “Yes!” and mention of sharing Indian sweets with his team set off a wave of celebration back home. The interaction concluded with a rousing patriotic cheer, as PM Modi raised the slogan 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai', echoed by Shukla from 400 km above Earth.
🇮🇳 “You Are the Farthest from India, Yet Closest to Our Hearts”
The emotional tone deepened as PM Modi reflected:
“Shubhanshu, today you are the farthest from the land of India, but the closest to the hearts of every Indian.”
He added that the name "Shubhanshu" itself symbolizes "shubh" (auspicious), calling Shukla’s journey a "shubh-aarambh" (auspicious beginning) of India’s future in space exploration.
🛰️ A Mission with Axiom Space, A Step Towards Gaganyaan
Shubhanshu Shukla is aboard the ISS as part of a commercial mission operated by Axiom Space, a key international partner for low-Earth orbit missions.
His presence on the station marks a milestone in India’s preparatory phase for Mission Gaganyaan, the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) first human spaceflight programme.
“This is not just my journey,” said Shukla. “It is the journey of every Indian. I am absorbing this new experience like a sponge.”
🥗 Bringing Indian Food to the Final Frontier
While space food is usually associated with bland, dehydrated meals, Shukla’s carry-on brought a taste of India’s festive flavours:
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Gajar ka Halwa – A carrot-based sweet dish made with milk and sugar, often served during festivals.
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Moong Dal Halwa – A rich lentil-based dessert known for its texture and indulgence.
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Aam Ras – A mango pulp delicacy, perfect for summer and deeply tied to Indian tradition.
NASA and Axiom Space reportedly approved these custom-packaged items in advance under strict hygiene and preservation standards, making it a rare culinary moment in space history.
🌏 16 Sunrises and 16 Sunsets a Day
During his time aboard the ISS, Shukla noted the incredible phenomenon of experiencing 16 sunrises and sunsets every day, due to the ISS orbiting Earth roughly every 90 minutes.
“Watching Earth from above while witnessing multiple sunrises and sunsets a day — it’s life-changing,” he remarked.
🧭 The Broader Vision: India in Space
India’s entry into human space exploration is no longer aspirational — it is active and advancing. With astronauts like Shukla now representing India on global missions, the country is poised to:
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Launch Gaganyaan by 2026 with Indian astronauts aboard.
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Expand ISRO-Axiom and NASA partnerships.
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Inspire youth across India to pursue STEM and aerospace careers.
🌍 Public Reactions and Social Media
Social media erupted with pride, with trending hashtags such as:
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#ShubhanshuShukla
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#GajarKaHalwaInSpace
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#IndiaInSpace
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#MissionGaganyaan
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#BharatMataKiJai
Many netizens praised the astronaut not only for his scientific achievements, but also for his cultural representation.
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⚠️ Disclaimer:
This article was generated with the assistance of AI (ChatGPT) based on public information from official sources and news agencies. Content has been human-reviewed and formatted for SEO and readability. Always cross-reference from authoritative sources for confirmed mission data.
