New Delhi, Aug. 20 -- India needs to build a pool of 40-50 astronauts ready to lead future space missions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said during his interaction with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who has returned after spending 20 days in space as part of the Axiom-4 mission. Shukla, the first Indian astronaut to travel to the International Space Station (ISS), met the PM on Monday evening and shared his experiences. The video of the interaction was released on Tuesday. "There is a need to have a pool of 40-50 astronauts ready for India's future missions," Modi said, adding that Shukla's journey will inspire children to believe that becoming an astronaut is now a realistic career path in India. Shukla agreed: "In today's Bharat, the child does not merely dream, he knows it is possible, that there is an option, and that he can indeed become one." Modi said India now has two major missions ahead - Bhartiya Antariskh Station and Gaganyaan - and Shukla's experience would be of great value. htc...