'Prayers of 1.4 billion Indians with you': PM Modi pens heartfelt letter to Sunita Williams, invites her to India
PTC Web Desk: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended a warm invitation to NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, acknowledging her remarkable contributions to space exploration. In a heartfelt letter, he expressed the nation's pride in her achievements and conveyed best wishes as she prepared to return to Earth after months in orbit.
Sunita Williams, along with fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore and two crew members, undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule at 1.05 am. New York time on Tuesday. Their journey home is expected to conclude with a parachute-assisted splashdown off the Florida coast around 6 p.m. local time.
PM Modi, in his letter shared by Union Minister Jitendra Singh on social media, assured Sunita Williams that the prayers of 1.4 billion Indians were with her. He recalled meeting her father, the late Deepak Pandya, during his US visit in 2016 and mentioned that Sunita Williams' family, including Bonnie Pandya, must be eagerly awaiting her return. He emphasised India's deep admiration for her perseverance and commitment to space research.
As the whole world waits, with abated breath, for the safe return of Sunita Williams, this is how PM Sh @narendramodi 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 — Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) March 18, 2025
Sunita Williams, born in the US, has always maintained a strong connection with her Indian heritage. Her father, Deepak Pandya, hailed from Jhulasan, a village in Gujarat. Throughout her career, she has embraced her cultural ties, even carrying sacred items such as the Bhagavad Gita, an idol of Lord Ganesha, and Ganga Jal during one of her space missions.
Her visits to India have been met with overwhelming love and pride. She has frequently spoken about her admiration for Indian traditions, festivals, and cuisine, reflecting her deep-rooted connection with the country.
- With inputs from agencies
