Welcome back: Modi, Murmu hail India’s daughter Williams
He said space exploration is about pushing the limits of human potential, daring to dream and having the courage to turn those dreams into reality.
President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi among other leaders sent congratulatory messages as celebrations, prayers and good wishes poured in on Wednesday upon Williams’ safe return to earth.
The capsule undocked from the space station on Tuesday and splashed down off the Florida coast on Wednesday morning after clocking 286 days in space. This was Williams’ third space flight and she has clocked a cumulative 608 days in space.
A former US Navy captain, Williams, 59, was born to a Gujarati father Deepak Pandya hailing from Jhulasan in Mehsana district and Slovenian mother Ursuline Bonnie Pandya on September 19, 1965 in Euclid, Ohio.
Proud of her multicultural roots, Williams had carried symbols of her heritage to space, including samosas, a Slovenian flag and a Ganesha idol during previous missions.
Calling Sunita Williams ‘India’s daughter,’ President Droupadi Murmu said that Williams and her fellow astronauts have inspired everyone with their perseverance, dedication and never-say-die spirit. “Congratulations to the entire team behind the safe return of Nasa’s Crew 9 mission on Earth!…Their historic journey is a tale of determination, teamwork and extraordinary courage. I salute their unwavering resolve and wish them excellent health!” Murmu said in a post on X.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Williams and her fellow Crew-9 members saying their unwavering determination will forever inspire millions. “Welcome back, Crew9! The Earth missed you. Theirs has been a test of grit, courage and the boundless human spirit. Sunita Williams and the #Crew9 astronauts have once again shown us what perseverance truly means. Their unwavering determination in the face of the vast unknown will forever inspire millions,” Modi said in a post on X. He added space exploration is about pushing the limits of human potential, daring to dream and having the courage to turn those dreams into reality.
“Sunita Williams, a trailblazer and an icon, has exemplified this spirit throughout her career. We are incredibly proud of all those who worked tirelessly to ensure their safe return. They have demonstrated what happens when precision meets passion and technology meets tenacity,” the Prime Minister said.
Isro Chairman V. Narayanan said Williams’ safe return was a remarkable achievement and a testament to Nasa, SpaceX, and the USA’s commitment to space exploration. He also said India would wish to utilise her expertise in space exploration. “Welcome back, Sunita Williams! Your safe return after an extended mission aboard the ISS is a remarkable achievement. A testament to NASA, SpaceX, and the USA's commitment to space exploration!” Isro shared Narayanan’s message on X.
Meanwhile, residents of Williams’ ancestral village Jhulasan also celebrated her safe return by bursting firecrackers, distributing sweets, dancing and offering prayers to the local deity. The villagers had organised a yagna’ praying for Willaims’ safe return. They said their happiness knew no end and hoped to see Williams visit her ancestral village soon and inspire school students who are already filled with curiosity and follow in her footsteps.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Union ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and Piyush Goyal as well as Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and the Trinamul Congress were among those who congratulated Williams. Several Chief Ministers also welcomed Williams.
Birla on X wrote, “Heartiest congratulations to Nasa and the incredible team behind the safe return of the Crew9 mission! Sunita Williams, with her Indian roots and global spirit, has inspired the entire world with her remarkable achievements and unwavering determination. During this mission, Sunita Williams with her fellow astronauts, has showcased the power of perseverance, teamwork, and courage. Their mission is not just a milestone in space exploration but a testament to what humanity can achieve when we dream big and work together. We salute their extraordinary journey and wish them good health and continued success”.
“Welcome back to Earth, Sunita Williams!” Congress chief said, adding that the safe conclusion of the extended mission has brought a sense of relief and relation to the 1.4 billion citizens of India. The TMC said in its post, “After nine months in space, our daughter has finally returned, filling our hearts with happiness.”
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel also extended congratulations through X to our very own Sunita Williams and said people in India take immense pride in her connection to our land, celebrating her as a shining example of our shared heritage and aspirations.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the astronauts’ “extended mission, shaped by technical challenges, has left an inspiring legacy in space exploration”. Describing Williams as “daughter of India”, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee hailed the return of the space explorer saying, “Welcome Sunita Williams and other astronauts back to Earth, finally and safely, after so many days. Our daughter of India returns to us, and we are deeply deeply happy and elated. We are profoundly happy for other returnees also. Hail their courage, hail their return, hail human glory!” Banerjee said in a post on X. “I congratulate the rescue team for their overwhelming support and success,” she added.
