Today our commitment to social justice is reaching to the people of J&K: PM Modi

Published By : Admin | February 10, 2024 | 16:59 IST
Quote“17th Lok Sabha has been witness to numerous important decisions. These five years have been about 'Reform, Perform and Transform'”
Quote“Sengol is symbol of the reclamation of India’s heritage and remembrance of the first moment of Independence”
Quote“India got the presidency of G-20 during this period and every state presented the country's strength and its identity in front of the world”
Quote“We can say with satisfaction that the tasks for which many generations had been waiting for centuries were accomplished in the 17th Lok Sabha”
Quote“Today our commitment to social justice is reaching to the people of Jammu and Kashmir”
Quote“We can proudly say that this country might have lived under Penal Code for 75 years but now we live under Nyay Samhita”
Quote“I am confident that the elections will be in accordance with the glory of our democracy”
Quote“Today’s speeches about Shri Ram Mandir have ‘Samvedna’, ‘Sankalp’ and ‘Sahanubhuti’ along with the mantra of ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’”

Hon’ble Mr Speaker Sir,

Today is an important day in the great tradition of democracy. Over the past five years, the 17th Lok Sabha has made numerous significant decisions in the service of the nation. In the wake of many challenges, everyone has endeavoured to steer the country in the right direction with their capabilities. In a way, today is an opportunity for all of us to reflect on our five-year ideological journey, dedicated to the nation, and to once again dedicate our resolutions to the nation. These five years of reform, perform, and transform are quite rare. It is rare that reforms happen, performance is achieved, and we witness transformation before our eyes, instilling a new confidence. Today, the nation is experiencing this certainty from the 17th Lok Sabha. And I am confident that the nation will continue to bless the 17th Lok Sabha. All Hon’ble members of the House have played a very important role in all these processes. And this is the time when, as the leader as well as a companion to all of you, I congratulate each and every one of you.

Especially, Hon’ble Mr Speaker Sir,

I also express heartfelt gratitude to you. Sumitra (Mahajan) ji occasionally indulged in light-hearted humour (during her five-year tenure as Speaker of the House). However, you always wore a smile on your face. No matter what happened (in the House), that smile never faded. In various diverse circumstances, you have guided and led this House with great balance and impartially in a true sense. I also commend you wholeheartedly for your conduct. There were moments of anger and accusations, but you handled all these situations with complete patience and insight, leading the House and guiding all of us. I am grateful to you for this.

Hon’ble Mr Speaker Sir,

In these five years, the entire human race has endured the biggest crisis of this century. Who will survive? Can one save anyone? That was the situation. In such times, coming to the House, leaving one's home, was also a period of crisis. Despite that, whatever new arrangements had to be made, you made them, without letting the work of the nation stop. In order to ensure that the dignity of the House remained intact and the necessary work of the country continued to progress, you did not lag behind even a bit in your role of running the House. You handled it with great skill and became an example for the world.

Hon’ble Mr Speaker Sir,

I also want to express my gratitude to the Hon’ble MPs for agreeing to give up their MPLAD funds without a moment’s delay when such a proposal was made in the wake of the needs of the country during that period. Not only that, MPs themselves decided on a 30 per cent salary cut in order to give a positive message to the citizens and instill confidence in society. It led the country to believe that the MPs are the first ones to step forward in this regard.

And Hon’ble Mr Speaker Sir,

Without any reason, we MPs were often criticized in some section of the Indian media twice a year for the privileges we receive and eating subsidised food in the Parliament Canteen. It's like we were constantly being ridiculed over the cost of the food in the Parliament Canteen compared to what is available outside. You made the decision that there would be uniform rates in the canteen for everyone, and MPs never opposed it and never complained. And those who used to embarrass all MPs for no reason were also enjoying the subsidised food available in Parliament Canteen before. You saved us all from that ridicule, and I express my gratitude to you for this too.

Hon’ble Mr Speaker Sir,

It is true that regardless of whether it was our 15th, 16th or 17th Lok Sabha, there was a demand for a new Parliament building. Everyone discussed this collectively, in one voice, but no decision could be made. It is your leadership that made the decision, pushed things forward, held various meetings with the government, and as a result, today the country has got this new Parliament building.

Hon’ble Mr Speaker Sir,

Establishing the Sengol in the new Parliament building, which preserves a part of our heritage and keeps alive the first moment of independence as a guiding light, has been a monumental task under your leadership. It will now be a part of the ceremonial event every year which will forever connect the future generations of Bharat with that moment of independence. And that significant moment of independence will remain etched in our memories, serving as inspiration to propel the nation forward—a sacred task that you have accomplished.

Hon’ble Mr Speaker Sir,

It is also true that during this period, Bharat received a lot of praise during the presidency of the G20 summit. Every state of the country showcased Bharat’s strength and their own identity in front of the world (by holding various G20 meetings), the impact of which is still felt on the global stage today. Along with that, under your leadership, the P20 summit was held soon after the G20 when speakers from many countries came here. We have carried forward the great tradition of Bharat, the Mother of Democracy, and the democratic values that we have advanced for centuries. Systems may have changed, but Bharat’s democratic spirit has always remained, and you presented that fact excellently before the speakers of the world, earning Bharat respect in democratic systems as well under your leadership.

Hon’ble Mr Speaker Sir,

I also want to extend special congratulations to you for something that perhaps neither our Hon’ble MPs nor the media have paid attention to. We would gather together in the Samvidhan Sadan (the new name for) the old Parliament, to offer floral tributes to the statues of great personalities on their birth anniversaries. But it used to be a 10-minute event, and then we would leave (to perform our duties in Parliament). You initiated a campaign of speech and essay competitions across the country for these great personalities. Two children from each state awarded as the best orators and essayists would come to Delhi on that day and remain present during the floral tribute ceremony on the great person's birth anniversary along with the political leaders and give speeches afterward. They would visit other places in Delhi and try to understand the activities of the MPs. You have done a great job of constantly engaging millions of students with Bharat’s parliamentary tradition. And you will be credited for this tradition. I hope everyone will proudly carry forward this tradition in the future. I congratulate you for this as well.

Hon’ble Mr Speaker Sir,

I cannot say how much they, who were supposed to use, were able to utilize the Parliament Library, but you opened its doors for the common person. You have rendered a great service by opening this treasure trove of knowledge, this heritage of traditions, to the general public. I congratulate you wholeheartedly for this initiative. You incorporated modern technology into our system by way of paperless Parliament and digitization. Initially, some colleagues faced difficulties, but now everyone has become accustomed to it. When I see you sitting here and constantly doing something, you have accomplished a significant achievement. You have established permanent systems. I express my sincere gratitude for this also.

Hon’ble Mr Speaker Sir,

I can say that your expertise and the awareness of these Hon’ble Members of Parliament and their collective efforts have resulted in 97 per cent productivity of the 17th Lok Sabha. The 97 percent productivity is a matter of satisfaction in itself. But I believe that as we move towards the conclusion of the 17th Lok Sabha today and the beginning of the 18th Lok Sabha (in a few days), we will resolve to ensure that our productivity will be more than 100 per cent. There were also seven sessions where productivity was even more than 100 per cent in the 17th Lok Sabha. And I have seen that you have sat through all night, constantly making efforts to bring the concerns of every Member of Parliament to the attention of the government. I express heartfelt gratitude and congratulations to all the Hon’ble Members and all the Floor Leaders for these successes. In the first session of the 17th Lok Sabha, both Houses passed 30 bills, and this is a record in itself. New benchmarks have also been set in the 17th Lok Sabha.

Hon’ble Mr Speaker Sir,

The celebration of 75 years of independence is a matter of great fortune for all of us, and it is indeed a momentous occasion where our Parliament has played a crucial leadership role in every aspect. Perhaps there is hardly any Member of Parliament who has not played a role in making the 75 years of independence a celebration in their respective domains. Truly, the nation celebrated the 75 years of independence with full fervour, and the significant role of our Hon’ble MPs and this Parliament cannot be overlooked. The 75th anniversary of the enactment of our Constitution has coincided with this time, and all Hon’ble Members of Parliament have had the opportunity to be part of it. The responsibilities of the Constitution start from here, and being associated with them is inherently very inspiring.

Hon’ble Mr Speaker Sir,

In this tenure, there have been significant reforms, which are game-changers. The strong foundation of Bharat in the 21st century is evident in all these aspects. The country has moved forward at a rapid pace towards a big transformation, and in this, all colleagues of the House have provided excellent guidance with their participation, and contributed significantly. We can say with satisfaction that many changes, which were being awaited for long, have been accomplished through the 17th Lok Sabha, ending the anticipation of generations. Many generations had dreamed of one Constitution, but there was a crack, a pitfall, an obstacle every moment. By abrogating Article 370, the House has manifested the full realization of the Constitution with its complete radiance. And I believe that on the completion of 75 years of the Constitution...wherever the souls of those great men who framed the Constitution may be, they must be blessing us, as we have completed this task. The people of Jammu and Kashmir were deprived of social justice. Today, we are satisfied that by fulfilling our commitment to social justice, we are also reaching out to our brothers and sisters in Jammu and Kashmir.

Hon’ble Mr Speaker Sir,

Terrorism used to haunt the country like a demon, firing bullets into the heart of the country every day, staining the land of Maa Bharti with blood. Many brave and talented individuals of the country would fall prey to terrorism. We enacted strict laws against terrorism, and this very House made them. I firmly believe that those who struggled with such problems before have now gained strength. Confidence has increased psychologically. And Bharat is feeling a sense of complete liberation from terrorism. And that dream will also come true. We have lived under the British-imposed penal code for 75 years. We will proudly tell the country, we will tell the new generation, you will be able to tell your grandchildren with pride that the country lived under the penal code for 75 years, but the coming generations will live under the code of justice. And that is true democracy.

Hon’ble Mr Speaker Sir,

I would like to congratulate you on one more thing. The new House, with all its grandeur, commenced with an act that strengthens the fundamental values of Bharat, and that is the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (Women Empowerment Act). Whenever discussions about this new House will take place, the mention of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam will be made. Even though it was a brief session, it was a session that made far-reaching decisions. The sense of purity of this new House began from that very moment, which gives us a new strength. As a result, when a large number of our mothers and sisters will be seated here in the coming times, the country will feel a sense of pride. Our Muslim sisters were waiting for relief from the triple talaq for so long. The courts had ruled in their favour, but they were not getting their rights. They were forced to endure hardships. Some may say it openly, some indirectly. But the 17th Lok Sabha has done the very important work of freeing them from triple talaq. All Hon’ble members, regardless of their opinions or decisions, will someday say that we were present here to ensure justice for these daughters. We have remedied the injustice done to the generations, and these sisters are blessing us.

Hon’ble Mr Speaker Sir,

The upcoming 25 years are very important for our country. The hustle and bustle in politics has its place. The aspirations of people in the political arena have their place. But the expectations of the country, the concerns of the country and the dreams of the country have become the determination of the country. So the country will achieve the desired results in the next 25 years. People were not very enthusiastic when Mahatma Gandhi embarked on the Dandi March in 1930, when there was the Salt Satyagraha. Whether it was the Swadeshi movement, whether it was the tradition of Satyagraha, or whether it was the Salt Satyagraha. At that time, these events seemed small but in 1947, that 25-year period instilled the spirit within the country that now we have to live free. Today, I can see the same spirit which is being instilled in the country. From every street corner, from the lips of every child, it is heard that in 25 years we will make a ‘Viksit Bharat’. Therefore, these 25 years are an extremely important period for the youth power of my country. And there will be no one among us who does not want Bharat to become a developed nation in 25 years. Everyone has a dream, some have already made their dream a resolution, perhaps some may take longer to make it a resolution, but everyone will have to join, and those who cannot join and would be still alive will surely reap the rewards, this is my belief.

Hon’ble Mr Speaker Sir,

These past 5 years have also seen historic laws enacted for the youth. Bringing transparency in the system has provided new opportunities for the youth. Issues like paper leaks, which used to worry our youth, have been addressed very strictly. All Hon’ble members, understanding the sentiments of the youth of the country and addressing the questions or concerns in their minds about the system, have made very important decisions.

Hon’ble Mr Speaker Sir,

It is true that no human society can progress without research. Research is essential for continuous evolution. The history of humankind spanning thousands of years is evidence that research has been ongoing in every era, leading to the advancement and expansion of life. This House has done a significant job by formally establishing a legal framework to promote research. The National Research Foundation, though not often the subject of everyday political discussions, will have far-reaching consequences, and this is a very important task undertaken by the 17th Lok Sabha. I firmly believe that due to the talent of our youth, our country can become a hub for research worldwide. The talent of our youth is such that even today, many global companies are conducting their innovation work in Bharat. But our country will become a major hub, I am completely confident about it.

Hon’ble Mr Speaker Sir,

Our basic needs are undergoing a complete transformation in the 21st century. What had no value until yesterday, no attention was paid to it, has become very valuable. It is data... There is a global discussion about the potential of data. By introducing the Data Protection Bill, we have ensured the security of the entire future generation. We have provided a new tool to the entire future generation, based on which they will also make the right use of it to build their future. And the Digital Personal Data Protection Act has generated interest not only among the youth of our country but also among people around the world. Countries around the world are studying it. They are making efforts to adapt their new systems accordingly. There are also guidelines on how data should be used. That is how its potential can be enhanced while managing protection in a way, which people call the gold mine, the new oil. I understand that Bharat has this potential because it is a country rich in diversity. The kind of information and data that is with us… Just consider the data of our railway passengers … It can become a subject of great research for the world. We have recognized its power and given this legal system.

Hon’ble Mr Speaker Sir,

Discussions about these sectors, namely water, land, and sky, have been ongoing for centuries. But now, there is a need to confront the challenges posed by maritime power, space power, and cyber power, considering the crises the world is going through. As the world is trying to create thoughtful impacts, we also need to generate positive capabilities in these areas and empower ourselves to face challenges from negative forces. Therefore, reforms related to space were very necessary, and with a far-sighted vision, the work of space reform has been completed in our country.

Hon’ble Mr Speaker Sir,

The Hon’ble Members of the 17th Lok Sabha have played a significant role in the economic reforms that the country has undertaken. Over the past few years, thousands of compliances have needlessly entangled the public. It is a matter of great pride that the distorted governance systems that had developed have been freed, and a great deal of credit for this goes to this House as well. These kinds of compliances burden ordinary people. As I once said even from the Red Fort that when we talk about "minimum government, maximum governance," I truly believe that the sooner the government exits from people's lives, the more the democracy will be strengthened. Why does the government intervene at every turn in people's daily lives? Yes, the government will always be present for those in need, but a democracy cannot thrive if government interference becomes an obstacle in people's lives. Therefore, our goal should be to minimise government intervention in the lives of ordinary citizens as much as possible, thus presenting a prosperous democracy to the world. We will fulfil that dream.

Hon’ble Mr Speaker Sir,

We have repealed more than 60 unnecessary laws, including the Companies Act and the Limited Liability Partnership Act. This was a crucial requirement for improving the ease of doing business because if the country is to progress, it must overcome numerous obstacles. Many of our laws were such that people ended up in jail for trivial reasons. For example, if a factory's restroom was not whitewashed once every six months, it could lead to imprisonment, no matter how big the owner of such a large company. Now, we should have the confidence to get rid of those who call themselves left-liberals, their ideology, and the era of ‘Kumar Shahi’ in this country. So, the 17th Lok Sabha has done commendable work in increasing public trust. Let's talk about the Jan Vishwas Act. I understand that more than 180 provisions have been decriminalized under this act. I talked about how people were thrown into jail for trivial matters. By decriminalizing these, we have empowered citizens. This House has done it, Hon’ble members have done it. It's very important work to save lives from the courts' tangles, to free them from disputes outside the courts, and mediation laws in that direction have also been instrumental, and Hon’ble members have played a significant role in that too. Those who were always on the sidelines, no one bothered about them, they realized the importance of a government. Yes, they understood the importance of the government when free vaccinations were available during COVID. The government being there was important, and this is very necessary in the lives of ordinary people. The experience of helplessness should not arise now.

The transgender community used to feel discriminated against. And when they were repeatedly discriminated against, the possibility of distortions within them also increased...and we used to shy away from such topics. All Hon’ble members of the 17th Lok Sabha also expressed sympathy for transgender individuals and contributed to making their lives better. And today, Bharat’s work for transgender individuals and the decisions made for them are being discussed worldwide. The world is surprised when we say there is maternity leave of 26 weeks during pregnancy for our mothers and sisters...even prosperous countries in the world are amazed. This means these progressive decisions have been made here, in this 17th Lok Sabha. We have given transgender individuals an identity. So far, identity cards have been issued to nearly 16-17 thousand transgender individuals so that their lives are improved. And I have seen that now they are starting small businesses with money from the Mudra scheme, they are earning. We have awarded Padma awards to transgender individuals, a recognition for living a dignified life. They will continue to benefit from various government schemes. The process has begun and they have started living a life of dignity.

Hon’ble Mr Speaker Sir,

It was a very difficult time, when the COVID pandemic put a lot of pressure on us for about one and a half to two years, but despite that the 17th Lok Sabha has been very beneficial for the country, and has done very good work. However, during this time, we have also lost many colleagues. Perhaps if they were among us today, they would have been present at this farewell ceremony. But due to COVID, we have had to lose many talented colleagues in between. The sorrow of that loss will always remain with us.

Hon’ble Mr Speaker Sir,

This is the last session and last hour of the 17th Lok Sabha. The journey of democracy and Bharat is endless. This country is for a purpose, it has a goal that is for the entire humanity. Whether it was seen by Aurobindo or by Swami Vivekananda … Today we are witnessing the capability in those words, in that vision, right before our eyes. The world is accepting Bharat’s greatness, acknowledging Bharat’s capabilities, and we need to move forward with more strength in this journey.

Hon’ble Mr Speaker Sir,

The elections are not far away. Some people might feel a little nervous, but this is an inherent and essential aspect of democracy. We all accept it with pride. And I believe that our elections will continue to be a source of pride for the country, continuing our tradition of democracy, and will surely continue to amaze the entire world. This is my firm belief.

Hon’ble Mr Speaker Sir,

The support I have received from all Hon’ble members, the decisions we have been able to make, and sometimes the attacks have been so amusing that it has brought out the strength within us. And I believe it's by the grace of the Almighty that when challenges come, there's a sense of joy as well. We have faced every challenge with great self-confidence and belief. Today, the resolution passed by this House regarding the construction of the Ram Temple will give the future generations of this country, the constitutional power to take pride in the values of this nation. It's true that not everyone has the courage to engage in such endeavours; some people leave the field. But still, when we look at the records of the future, the speeches made today, the sentiments expressed, the resolutions put forward, there is empathy, determination, and compassion, and there is also an element to advance the mantra of ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’.

This nation, no matter how many bad days it has seen, will continue to do something good for the future generations. This House will continue to inspire us, and with collective resolve and collective strength, we will strive for the best possible outcomes according to the aspirations of the young generation of Bharat.

With this belief, I express my gratitude to all Hon’ble members once again.

Thanks a lot!

 

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India is going to open doors of new possibilities of space for the world: PM Modi
June 28, 2025
QuoteI extend my heartiest congratulations and best wishes to you for hoisting the flag of India in space: PM
QuoteScience and Spirituality, both are our Nation’s strength: PM
QuoteThe success of Chandrayaan mission and your historic journey renew interest in science among the children and youth of the country: PM
QuoteWe have to take Mission Gaganyaan forward, we have to build our own space station and also land Indian astronauts on the Moon: PM
QuoteYour historic journey is the first chapter of success of India's Gaganyaan mission and will give speed and new vigour to our journey of Viksit Bharat: PM
QuoteIndia is going to open doors of new possibilities of space for the world: PM

Prime Minister: Shubhanshu Namaskar!

Shubhanshu Shukla: Namaskar!

Prime Minister: Today you are far away from your motherland, from Bharat Bhumi, but you are closest to the hearts of Indians. There is auspiciousness in your name and your journey is also the beginning of a new era. At this time, we two are talking, but the sentiments of 140 crore Indians are also with me. My voice reflects the enthusiasm and excitement of all Indians. I extend my heartiest congratulations and best wishes to you for hoisting the flag of India in space. I am not taking much time, so first of all tell me, is everything fine there? Are you feeling well?

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Shubhanshu Shukla: Yes, Prime Minister Ji! Thank you very much for your wishes and the wishes of my 140 crore countrymen. I am absolutely fine and safe here. Because of your blessings and love… I am feeling very good. This is a very new experience and somewhere or the other, many such things are happening which show in which direction I and many people like me in our country and our India are moving. This journey of mine, this small journey of 400 kilometers from the earth to the orbit, is not just mine. I feel that somewhere this is also the journey of our country because when I was young, I could never imagine that I could become an astronaut. But I believe that today's India under your leadership provides this opportunity and also gives a chance to realize those dreams. So, this is a great achievement for me and I feel very proud that I am able to represent my country here. Thank you, Prime Minister Ji!

Prime Minister: Shubh, you are out in space, where gravity is next to nothing, but every Indian is seeing how down to earth you are. Did you feed the Gajar ka halwa you carried with you to your friends?

Shubhanshu Shukla: Yes, Prime Ministerji! I had brought some food items from my country, like Gajar ka Halwa, Moong Dal Halwa and Aam Ras and I wanted my other friends, who have come from other countries, to also taste it and experience the rich culinary heritage of India. So, we all sat together and tasted it and everyone liked it very much. Some people asked when they would come down and visit our country and taste it with us…

Prime Minister: Shubh, Parikrama is a centuries old tradition of India. You have got the good fortune of doing Parikrama of Mother Earth. Which part of the Earth will you be passing over right now?

Shubhanshu Shukla: Yes, Prime Minister Ji! I don't have that information right now, but a little while ago I was looking out the window, we were passing over Hawaii, and we orbit 16 times a day. We see 16 sunrises and 16 sunsets from orbit and this entire process is very amazing. In this orbit, at this fast speed, we are moving at the speed of about 28000 kilometers per hour

while talking to you and this speed is not known because we are inside, but somewhere this speed definitely shows at what speed our country is progressing.

Prime Minister: Great!

Shubhanshu Shukla: At this moment we have reached here and now we have to go further from here.

Prime Minister: Well, what was the first thought that came to your mind after seeing the vastness of space?

Shubhanshu Shukla: Prime Minister ji, to be honest, when we reached the orbit for the first time, reached space, the first view was of the Earth and the first thought after seeing the Earth from outside, the first thought that came to mind was that the Earth looks completely uniform, I mean no boundary line, no border is visible from outside. And the second thing that was very noticeable was when we saw India for the first time, when we study India on the map, we see how big the size of other countries is, what is our size, we see that on the map, but it is not correct because we draw a 3D object in 2D, that is, on paper. India really looks very grand, looks very big. It is much bigger than what we see on the map and the feeling of oneness, the feeling of oneness of the earth, which is also our motto that unity in diversity, its importance is understood in such a way when seen from outside that it seems that no border exists, no state exists, no countries exist, finally we all are a part of humanity and the earth is our home and all of us are its citizens.

Prime Minister: Shubhanshu, you are the first Indian to go to the space station. You have worked very hard. You have gone through a long training. Now you are in a real situation, you are actually in space, how different are the conditions there? How are you adapting?

Shubhanshu Shukla: Everything is different here Prime Minister Ji, we did training for the last one year, I knew about all the systems, I knew about all the processes, I knew about the experiments. But as soon as I came here, suddenly everything changed, because our body gets so used to living in gravity that everything is decided by it, but after coming here, since gravity is microgravity and is absent, even small things become very difficult. Right now, while talking to you, I have tied my legs, otherwise I would go up and the mike too, these are small things, that is, even if I leave it like this, it keeps floating like this. Drinking water, walking, sleeping is a big challenge, you can sleep on the roof, you can sleep on the walls, you can sleep on the ground.

So, Prime Minister Ji, everything happens, the training is good, but the environment changes, so it takes a day or two to get used to it, but then it becomes fine, then it becomes normal.

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Prime Minister: Shubh, India's strength lies in both science and spirituality. You are on a space journey, but the journey of India must also be going on. India must be running inside you. Do you get the benefit of meditation and mindfulness in that environment?

Shubhanshu Shukla: Yes, Prime Minister Ji, I completely agree. I believe that India is already running and this mission is just the first step of that big race and we are definitely moving ahead and we will have our own stations in space and many people will reach there and mindfulness also makes a lot of difference. There are many situations during normal training or even during launch, which are very stressful and with mindfulness you are able to keep yourself calm in those situations and if you keep yourself calm, you are able to take good decisions. It is said that no one can eat while running, so the calmer you remain, the better you will be able to take decisions. So, I think mindfulness plays a very important role in these things, so if both things are practiced together, then in such a challenging environment or challenging atmosphere, I think it will be very useful and will help people adapt very quickly.

Prime Minister: You are doing many experiments in space. Is there any experiment that will benefit the agriculture or health sector in the future?

Shubhanshu Shukla: Yes, Prime Minister Ji, I can say with great pride that for the first time Indian scientists have designed 7 unique experiments, which I have brought with me to the station and the first experiment that I am going to do, which is scheduled today, is on Stem

Cells. So, what happens on going to space is that because gravity is absent, the load goes away and hence muscle loss occurs. So, my experiment is looking at whether we can stop or delay this muscle loss by giving some supplement. It has a direct implication on Earth too that these supplements can be used on people who suffer muscle loss due to old age. So, I think it can definitely be used there. Along with this, the other experiment is on the growth of microalgae. These microalgae are very small but very nutritious, so if we can see their growth here and invent a process so that we can grow them in large numbers and provide nutrition, then somewhere it will be very useful for food security on earth. The biggest advantage of space is that the process here happens very quickly. So, we do not need to wait for months or years, so the results that we get here can be used by us and…

Prime Minister: Shubhanshu, after the success of Chandrayaan, a new interest in science was born among the children and youth of the country, the passion to explore space increased. Now this historic journey of yours is further strengthening that resolve. Today children do not just look at the sky, they think, I too can reach there. This thinking, this feeling is the real foundation of our future space missions. What message would you give to the young generation of India?

Shubhanshu Shukla: Prime Minister Ji, if I want to give a message to our young generation today, then first of all I will tell you that in the direction in which India is moving, we have seen very bold and very high dreams and to fulfil those dreams, we need all of you, so to fulfil that need, I would say that there is no one path to success that sometimes you take one path, sometimes someone takes the other path, but one thing that is common in every path is that you should never give up trying, Never Stop Trying. If you adopt this basic mantra that no matter what path you are on, where you are, but you will never give up, then success may come today or tomorrow, but it will definitely come.

Prime Minister: I am sure that the youth of the country will like these words of yours and you know me very well. Whenever I talk to anyone, I always give them homework. We have to take Mission Gaganyaan forward, we have to build our own space station, and also have to land Indian astronauts on the moon. Your experiences will be very useful in all these missions. I am sure you must be recording your experiences there.

Shubhanshu Shukla: Yes, Prime Minister Ji, absolutely, while undergoing the training and experiencing this entire mission, the lessons that I have received, the learnings that I have gained, I am absorbing them all like a sponge and I am sure that all these things will prove to be very valuable, very important for us when I come back and we will be able to apply these lessons effectively in our missions and complete them as quickly as possible. Because my friends who had come with me, somewhere they also asked me when we can go on Gaganyaan, which I felt very happy to hear and I said that soon. So, I think that this dream will be fulfilled very soon and the lessons that I am learning here; after coming back, I will try to apply them 100% in my mission and complete it as soon as possible.

Prime Minister: Shubhanshu, I am sure that this message of yours will inspire and when we met before you left, I also got the opportunity to meet your family members and I saw that all your family members are equally emotional and full of enthusiasm. Shubhanshu, today I really enjoyed talking to you. I know you have a lot of work and you have to work at a speed of 28000 kilometers, so I will not take much of your time. Today I can say with confidence that this is the first chapter of the success of India's Gaganyaan mission. This historic journey of yours is not just limited to space, it will give speed and new strength to our journey towards developed India. India is going to open the doors of new possibilities of space for the world. Now India will not just fly, it will prepare the platform for new flights in future. I want to hear something more in your mind because I do not want to ask a question. If you express the feelings that are in your mind, the countrymen will listen, the young generation of the country will listen, then I myself am very eager to hear some more things from you.

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Shubhanshu Shukla: Thank you, Prime Minister Ji! This entire journey of coming to space and training here and reaching here, I have learnt a lot in this, Prime Minister Ji, but after reaching

here, it is a personal accomplishment for me, but somewhere I feel that this is a very big collective achievement for our country. And I want to give a message to every child who is watching this, to every youth who is watching this and that is that if you try and you make your future well, then your future will be good and the future of our country will be good and keep only one thing in your mind, that sky has never the limits, neither for you, nor for me, nor for India and if you always keep this thing in your mind, then you will move ahead, you will illuminate your future and you will illuminate the future of our country and this is my message, Prime Minister and I am very, very emotional and very happy that I got the opportunity to talk to you today and through you to talk to 140 crore countrymen, who are able to see, this tricolor that you are seeing behind me, it was not here, before yesterday when I came here, then we have hoisted it here for the first time. So, this makes me very emotional and I feel very good to see that India has reached the International Space Station today.

Prime Minister: Shubhanshu, I wish you and all your colleagues the very best for the success of your mission. Shubhanshu, we are all waiting for your return. Take care of yourself, keep raising the respect of Maa Bharati. Many many best wishes, best wishes of 140 crore countrymen and I thank you very much for working so hard and reaching this height. Bharat Mata ki Jai!

Shubhanshu Shukla: Thank you, Prime Minister, thank you and thank you to all 140 crore countrymen and Bharat Mata Ki Jai for everyone from space!