Residents of NASA astronaut Sunita Williams’ ancestral village Jhulasan in Gujarat’s Mehsana district on Wednesday celebrated her safe return by bursting firecrackers, distributing sweets, dancing and offering prayers to the local deity.
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”.
As soon as a SpaceX capsule carrying Williams and astronaut Butch Wilmore splashed down near the Florida coast in the US after their nine-month stay at the International Space Station (ISS), the villagers erupted in joy, bursting firecrackers, dancing and chanting “Har Har Mahadev”.
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.
Also read: Crew 9 splash down: Welcome back to Earth, Sunita, Butch
Students of the local government school gathered to celebrate the occasion by performing garba, a traditional Gujarati folk dance, and took out a procession with Williams’ photo to the nearby temple of goddess Dola Mata.
Principal of the primary school, Vishal Panchal, said that the entire village is ecstatic and filled with pride upon Williams’ return.
“The daughter of our village is the pride of the world. She stayed in space for such a long time and came back safe. Our happiness knows no end,” he said.
When Sunita Williams left for ISS on June 5 last year and her mission was delayed, the villagers came together to light up an ‘Akhand Jyot’ here on June 27 and took out a procession carrying the eternal flame to the temple of Dola Mata, praying for her safety, said a local resident.
“We are very proud and happy that she is back on earth. We are from the same family. Sunita is a great inspiration for the children, who all want to become like her,” he said.
Navin Pandya, Williams’ cousin, said that the villagers have been praying for her safety, taking care of the ‘Akhand Jyot’ that was lit up for her safe return soon after she went to space over nine months ago.
He said the villagers are looking forward to inviting Williams to visit Jhulasan.
Williams has visited India at least thrice, including in 2007 and 2013, soon after her space missions and has been honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2008.
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