☰
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written a letter to Indian-origin NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, who on Tuesday began her return journey to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS) after being stranded there for more than nine months.
As the whole world waits, with abated breath, for the safe return of Indian-origin NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sent a letter to Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams, expressing pride in her achievements and extending best wishes for her ongoing space mission.
“Even though you are thousands of miles away, you remain close to our hearts,” PM Modi said in his heartfelt letter sent to Sunita Williams through astronaut Mike Massimino, reflecting the pride of 1.4 billion Indians.
A few days ago, PM Modi met Massimino at an event and requested that this letter from him and the people of India must reach her. Wishing her strength and a safe return, the PM reaffirmed India’s deep bond with its illustrious daughter.
The letter was made public hours after Williams and her colleague, Butch Wilmore, undocked from the ISS for a 17-hour trip back home.
As the whole world waits, with abated breath, for the safe return of Sunita Williams, this is how PM Sh expressed his concern for this daughter of India.
“Even though you are thousands of miles away, you remain close to our hearts,” says PM Sh Narendra Modi’s… pic.twitter.com/MpsEyxAOU9
In the letter, PM Modi conveyed greetings on behalf of the people of India, highlighting how 1.4 billion Indians take great pride in her perseverance and fortitude. He mentioned a conversation with former astronaut Mike Massimino, where her contributions were discussed with admiration.
In the presence of astronaut Sunita Williams and Kalpana Chawla's family pic.twitter.com/sPJbrQxdPU
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia)The Prime Minister also recalled inquiring about her well-being during his meetings with former US Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden. "We discussed how proud we are of you and your work. Following this interaction, I could not stop myself from writing to you," PM Modi said.
He assured her that, despite being thousands of miles away, she remains close to the hearts of Indians, who are praying for her good health and success.
Modi further acknowledged Williams' family, mentioning Bonnie Pandya and recalling his meeting with her late father, Deepakbhai, during his 2016 visit to the US.
"I am sure that Late Deepakbhai's blessings are with you as well," the Prime Minister said, referring to her father, Deepak Pandya, who was a resident of his home state, Gujarat, and died in 2020.
PM Modi expressed eagerness to welcome her to India upon her return, calling her one of the country’s "most illustrious daughters."
The letter concluded with warm regards to her husband, Michael Williams, and fellow astronaut Barry Wilmore, wishing them a safe return.
Willams and Wilmore were launched to the ISS on June 5 2024 on a Boeing Starliner spacecraft, then stayed aboard the ISS after it developed technical issues. In September 2024, NASA sent the Starliner craft back to Earth, uncrewed, to free up the docking port for other spacecraft.
Now, after nine months Williams and Wilmore are set to return to Earth on the capsule of the Elon-Musk owned Space X.
As NASA went live, Nick Hague, Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore, and cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov were seen packing up and closing the hatches as Crew9 prepared to depart from the Space Station.
subscribe to Asianet Newsable WhatsApp channel by clicking here.
