“When you’re thousands of kilometers away from home, even a spoonful of Gajar ka Halwa tastes like a warm hug from your mother.”
– Shudhanshu Shukla, Indian Astronaut, ISS 2025 Mission
The Man Who Took India to the Stars—And Indian Flavors Too
When Shudhanshu Shukla, India’s most recent addition to the International Space Station (ISS) crew, packed for his journey beyond Earth, he didn’t just carry scientific instruments and national pride—he carried flavors of home.
In a move that stirred emotions across the globe, Shukla took with him three quintessential Indian delicacies:
Gajar ka Halwa, Moong Dal Halwa, and Aam Ras—each carefully freeze-dried, space-proofed, and NASA-approved.
It wasn’t just about food. It was about identity. Culture. Emotion. And nostalgia.
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Why Food Matters in Space (More Than You Think)
In zero gravity, astronauts often suffer from “blunted taste buds”, due to fluid redistribution in the body. This means food tends to taste bland.
But Shukla knew what could cut through that: bold Indian spices, natural sweetness, and heritage recipes that tug at the heartstrings.
His choice of dishes wasn’t random:
- Gajar ka Halwa: A winter classic, it symbolized warmth, home, and maternal care. Rich in carrots, milk, and ghee—its comforting aroma reminded him of Lucknow’s winter evenings.
- Moong Dal Halwa: A labor-intensive dessert that represented patience, resilience, and celebration. Just like space travel, it demands time and precision.
- Aam Ras: The taste of Indian summers, it brought memories of mango season in Uttar Pradesh—ripe, golden, and divine.
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How These Dishes Made It to Space
The inclusion of Indian dishes on a space menu is no small feat. NASA, in collaboration with ISRO and the Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL) in Mysuru, spent months perfecting these meals:
- They were freeze-dried to preserve taste and nutrients.
- Packaged in rehydratable pouches that are space-safe and easy to use in microgravity.
- Spices were adjusted subtly to cater to altered astronaut taste sensitivities.
Shukla personally worked with scientists to ensure authenticity. “If I was going to eat halwa up there, it had to taste like my mother’s recipe—not a lab simulation,” he said during a pre-launch interview.
When Aam Ras Floated in the Cupola
On Day 19 aboard the ISS, Shukla shared a clip that went viral across the Indian internet. He squeezed out a glob of golden aam ras, and as it floated in mid-air, he playfully “slurped” it like a child.
“This mango never needed gravity to taste sweet,” he joked, earning love from mango fans around the world.
Even his fellow astronauts from the US, Japan, and Germany tried the Indian trio, reportedly loving the halwas. The American commander was quoted saying, “That carrot dessert? I’d trade my whole protein ration for it.”
The Cultural Weight of One Small Meal
Food is memory. Food is love. And in space, it becomes a powerful tool for emotional well-being.
Shukla’s culinary choices weren’t just about indulgence—they were about connection:
- A connection to India’s heritage.
- A tribute to Indian mothers and their timeless recipes.
- A salute to every Indian who has packed “the taste of home” into a tiffin box.
In many ways, Shudhanshu Shukla’s mission wasn’t just scientific—it was cultural.
🇮🇳 What This Means for India’s Space Future
India’s space program is maturing rapidly. But moments like these remind us: the journey to the stars doesn’t have to be sterile or impersonal.
Shukla’s choice to carry Indian sweets to space shows the world that our science can coexist with our soul.
As ISRO prepares for Gaganyaan and future lunar missions, perhaps the next big breakthrough won’t just be about propulsion systems or orbits—it could be a lovingly packed dabba filled with Chole Bhature or Mysore Pak.
Final Thought
Before he boarded the spacecraft, Shudhanshu Shukla said to his family:
“I’m taking a bit of you all with me. It’s in the halwa.”
And somewhere up there, orbiting Earth at 28,000 km/h, a spoonful of Indian dessert floated… reminding everyone watching that no matter how far we travel, home is never out of reach.
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