June 23, 2007
PM Joins Indians in Congratulating Astronaut Sunita
New Delhi
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Saturday joined millions of Indians in
congratulating Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams on her safe
and successful return to earth after spending a record 195 days in
space.
"The prime minister is pleased to note that Sunita Williams came
back safely after a successful space mission. He has wished her good
health," Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi
told reporters here.
"The prime minister, on his personal behalf and on behalf of the
United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, has congratulated
Sunita," Dasmunsi told reporters in the parliament house.
Earlier in the day, from the national capital to several small
towns, a large number of Indians felt a sense of relief and pride as
Williams returned home safely after 195 days in space.
The space shuttle Atlantis with Williams on board landed at 1.19
a.m. Indian time Saturday at Edwards Air Force Base in the US after
completing a 14-day journey of more than 9.3 million km.
Across India, many people had been praying for her after Atlantis
failed to land Thursday and Friday due to bad weather.
"It is a great relief. She is a hero and we welcome her back on
earth," said a jubilant Rahul Samant, a Jaipur resident.
"I was monitoring television and the NASA website till she landed. I
was a little frustrated when her first attempt to land could not
materialise. But finally god listened to our prayers," said Sandip
Rawat of New Delhi.
Williams joined NASA as a navy experimental test pilot and flew
helicopters in the 1991 Gulf war. In a pre-flight NASA interview she
had said that her Indian heritage is a source of pride for her and
others. "I am half Indian," she had said proudly.
After the space shuttle landed at Edwards Air Force Base, her family
members were seen dancing in joy and hugging each other. "I just
want to hug her. Job well done," said an emotional Deepak Pandya,
Sunita's father.
In India, she was the only subject of discussion for the last three
days at the Tagore Bal Niketan School in Karnal, Haryana.
Students of the school, which was deceased Indian American astronaut
Kalpana Chawla's alma mater, had offered special prayers for
Sunita's safe return.
"We were closely watching the developments since Thursday night.
After Sunita's landing was deferred by a day, we conducted a special
prayer for her," said Rajan Lamba, the school principal.
"It is great to hear that she has landed safely. My students and I
were very emotional about the whole expedition and are a relieved
lot today," Lamba added.
Students of Meerut University and schools in Ahmedabad - where her
father hails from - and Jalandhar also celebrated Sunita's return.
People also prayed for "sister Sunita" in Bhopal.
US space agency NASA has planned a public welcoming ceremony for
Sunita Williams and the six others who went up to fetch her from the
International Space Station on space shuttle Atlantis.
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