'They teased me, saying your PM has given you homework...' Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla tells Narendra Modi | WATCH

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to reach the International Space Station (ISS), shared laughs and insights during a special meeting at the PM’s official residence on Monday.

Shukla, who returned to India on August 17 after an 18-day mission aboard the ISS, briefed the Prime Minister about his historic journey, a key stepping stone for India’s ambitious Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme.

What stole the spotlight, however, was a light-hearted moment when the Prime Minister jokingly asked Shukla, “Did you do your homework? The one I gave you?”

To which Shukla responded with a smile, “People used to tease me, saying ‘Your Prime Minister gives you homework!’ But I very well remember the homework.”

The moment sparked laughter and has since gone viral, encapsulating not only the camaraderie between the PM and India’s newest space hero but also the nation’s growing enthusiasm for space science.

Photos from space, seeds in orbit and India’s space future

During the meeting, Shukla shared never-before-seen photographs taken from space and recounted the unique experiments he conducted in zero gravity including the Tardigrades, Myogenesis, Sprouting of methi and moong seeds, Cyanobacteria, Microalgae and Crop seeds.

He described how these tests are vital for India’s preparedness in long-term space exploration especially for Gaganyaan, which will be India’s first manned space mission.

"I couldn't walk when I returned": Shux's life after space

PM Modi asked about Shukla’s return to Earth and how his body reacted to gravity again. Shukla admitted that the re-adaptation was challenging:

"The brain takes time to understand that we have to walk... I was not able to walk initially, and people had to hold me up," he said, adding that it was the same adjustment he experienced upon arrival at the ISS.

Reflecting on his interactions abroad, Shukla shared that people around the world were eager to learn about India's progress in space, "Everyone already knew about India’s growing role in space exploration. Some even knew more about Gaganyaan than I did!"

He said his international crewmates were excited and curious about the upcoming Indian missions, calling it a matter of immense national pride.

‘Aatmanirbhar’ in space, inspired youth

The conversation also touched upon encouraging Indian youth to explore careers in space science and technology and the need for India to become self-reliant (Aatmanirbhar) in astronaut training and space tech infrastructure.

Following the meeting, PM Modi took to social media platform X, posting, "Had a great interaction with Shubhanshu Shukla. We discussed a wide range of subjects including his experiences in space, progress in science & technology as well as India's ambitious Gaganyaan mission. India is proud of his feat."