When Did Sunita Williams Last Visit India, What All Did She Do Here?

New Delhi: Sunita Williams, the Indian-origin NASA astronaut, last visited India over a decade ago, in 2013; during her India visit, Sunita Williams went to three cities and also interacted with students who were inspired by her. The astronaut who had been stranded at the International Space Station (ISS) for nine months, is now returning to the earth in SpaceX spacecraft Dragon Freedom.

Sunita Williams' India Visit: When Did She Last Come, What Did She Do?

Sunita Williams had last visited India in the year 2013, which is over a decade ago; this was her second visit to her home country. The Indian-origin astronaut went to three cities during her India visit, namely, Kolkata, New Delhi and her father's village Jhulasan in Gujarat's Mehsana. Sunita Williams first went to Kolkata, following which, she went to New Delhi where she visited the National Science Centre. At the science centre in the national capital, Sunita Williams also interacted with students, shared her experiences and inspired them to do well in life and fulfil their dreams.

During her India visit, Sunita Williams also visited Jhulasan village in Gujarat's Mehsana district, which is her father's village. Sunita Williams' father, and Indian-American doctor, Dr. Deepak Pandya, belonged to this village and in 1950, before going to the United States, he was a practicing doctor at Sheth Vadilal Sarabhai Hospital in Ahmedabad. At her father's village, Sunita Williams interacted with the locals, exchanged notes and also watched and appreciated a dance performance of the children from the village.

Also Read: Sunita Williams' Return LIVE: Astronauts in Resting Mode as NASA Stays on Standby Ahead of Splashdown

Things Sunita Williams Carried to Space, Showcasing Her Strong Indian Roots

Williams has frequently shared her deep respect for Indian culture and spirituality. During her space mission aboard the Boeing Starliner last May, she brought along a copy of the Bhagavad Gita, symbolizing her strong cultural ties. Various media outlets have reported that Williams also carried a Lord Ganesha idol with her on this mission, continuing a tradition she has followed on past flights. Her strong connection to Indian traditions has been evident throughout her career, as she has consistently taken religious and cultural symbols with her into space.

PM Modi's Heartfelt Letter to Sunita Williams

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written a letter to NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, calling her an "illustrious daughter" of India. In the letter, dated March 1 and shared by Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Tuesday, the Prime Minister expressed his concern for Williams, who had been stranded aboard the International Space Station (ISS) since June 2024. Modi mentioned that during his recent visits to the United States, he had inquired about her well-being with both President Donald Trump and his successor, Joe Biden. The letter was made public shortly after Williams and her colleague, Butch Wilmore, began their journey back to Earth, concluding a challenging nine-month stay in space.

Part of the letter read, "1.4 billion Indians have always taken immense pride in your achievements. The recent developments have once again highlighted your extraordinary fortitude and perseverance," the Prime Minister wrote. “Though you are thousands of miles away, you remain close to our hearts. The people of India are praying for your health and the success of your mission… We are eager to welcome you to India. It will be an honor for India to host one of its most illustrious daughters.”

Sunita Williams is on her return journey from the International Space Station (ISS); the return coverage will begin at 2:15 AM IST on Wednesday, March 19. The Crew-9's splashdown will take place at 3:27 AM IST and the return-to-Earth media conference will be held at 5:00 AM.