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India rejoices in NASA astronaut’s return from outer space
(MENAFN) The ancestral village of NASA astronaut Sunita Williams in Gujarat, India, erupted in celebration following her safe return to Earth after spending nine months in space, according to local reports.
Williams and her fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore were stranded in orbit due to technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner capsule. They finally left the International Space Station (ISS) aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule on Tuesday, alongside NASA’s Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, who had arrived in September for scientific experiments and maintenance work.
After a 17-hour descent, the capsule successfully splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico, off the Florida coast.
In Williams’ ancestral village in Gujarat, residents offered prayers, lit fireworks, and danced in the streets to celebrate her safe return. Many gathered around a NASA live-stream, praying for her successful landing. Dinesh Rawal, Williams’ cousin, organized a Yagna (holy ceremony) earlier in the day, expressing relief and joy after her return.
“When she landed, we jumped with joy... I was so happy. Until yesterday, I had an unsettling feeling deep inside... God has listened to our prayers and brought our Suni back safely,” Rawal told ANI.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) congratulated Williams on her “extraordinary mission”, emphasizing that her expertise would benefit future space exploration efforts.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed happiness over the astronauts’ return, calling their experience “a test of grit, courage, and boundless human spirit.” In a letter made public earlier this month, Modi praised Williams, saying “1.4 billion Indians take great pride in your achievements” and that the country looks forward to welcoming “one of its most illustrious daughters.”
During a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, Modi also inquired about Williams’ well-being.
Williams has often spoken fondly of her Indian heritage and how her father’s roots influenced her worldview. During a past space mission, she carried a copy of the Hindu scripture Bhagavad Gita and an idol of Lord Ganesha as symbols of her cultural connection.
Williams and her fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore were stranded in orbit due to technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner capsule. They finally left the International Space Station (ISS) aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule on Tuesday, alongside NASA’s Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, who had arrived in September for scientific experiments and maintenance work.
After a 17-hour descent, the capsule successfully splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico, off the Florida coast.
In Williams’ ancestral village in Gujarat, residents offered prayers, lit fireworks, and danced in the streets to celebrate her safe return. Many gathered around a NASA live-stream, praying for her successful landing. Dinesh Rawal, Williams’ cousin, organized a Yagna (holy ceremony) earlier in the day, expressing relief and joy after her return.
“When she landed, we jumped with joy... I was so happy. Until yesterday, I had an unsettling feeling deep inside... God has listened to our prayers and brought our Suni back safely,” Rawal told ANI.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) congratulated Williams on her “extraordinary mission”, emphasizing that her expertise would benefit future space exploration efforts.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed happiness over the astronauts’ return, calling their experience “a test of grit, courage, and boundless human spirit.” In a letter made public earlier this month, Modi praised Williams, saying “1.4 billion Indians take great pride in your achievements” and that the country looks forward to welcoming “one of its most illustrious daughters.”
During a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, Modi also inquired about Williams’ well-being.
Williams has often spoken fondly of her Indian heritage and how her father’s roots influenced her worldview. During a past space mission, she carried a copy of the Hindu scripture Bhagavad Gita and an idol of Lord Ganesha as symbols of her cultural connection.
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