President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with leading politicians and public figures, hailed the return of NASA astronaut Sunita Williams to Earth after an extended nine-month mission in space. Williams and her fellow astronauts, initially set for an eight-day mission, faced a prolonged stay due to technical complications.
NASA astronauts Williams, Nick Hague, Butch Wilmore, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov landed safely in the sea off Tallahassee, Florida, aboard SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft early Wednesday.
President Murmu took to social media platform X to congratulate the returning astronauts.
“India’s daughter and her fellow astronauts have inspired everyone with their perseverance, dedication, and never-say-die spirit. Their historic journey is a tale of determination, teamwork, and extraordinary courage,” she posted.
Prime Minister Modi also extended his greetings, remarking, “Welcome back, #Crew9! The Earth missed you. Theirs has been a test of grit, courage, and the boundless human spirit. Sunita Williams, a trailblazer and an icon, has exemplified this spirit throughout her career.”
ISRO, political leaders hail Williams
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) lauded Williams' resilience, terming her prolonged stay in space a "remarkable achievement."
The agency credited NASA, SpaceX, and their teams for their commitment to space exploration.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated, “The successful splashdown of #Crew9, accomplishing a challenging space expedition, is a testament to the power of human resilience.” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh echoed similar sentiments, calling Williams’ mission an inspiring demonstration of determination.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said Williams’ safe return was a moment of pride for India. “Welcome back to Earth, Sunita Williams! The safe conclusion of the extended mission has brought relief and elation to the 1.4 billion citizens of India.”
The Trinamool Congress also praised her, posting, “After nine months in space, our daughter has finally returned, filling our hearts with happiness.”
State leaders, industrialists, and celebrities express admiration
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel noted Williams' Indian roots, saying, “Every Indian takes immense pride in her connection to the country.”
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan highlighted the astronauts' perseverance despite technical challenges.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu described their return as a testament to human determination and teamwork.
Noted industrialist Anand Mahindra expressed his admiration, calling Williams “courage personified” and welcoming her back.
Bollywood actors, including Chiranjeevi and R Madhavan, hailed her safe return.
Jackie Shroff remarked that enduring nine months in space required "exceptional patience, unwavering resilience, and an indomitable spirit."
Born to a Gujarati father, Deepak Pandya, and Slovenian mother, Ursuline Bonnie Pandya, Sunita Williams has been an inspiration to millions.
Also read: 'We wish to utilise your space expertise': ISRO to Williams
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