India Rejoices As Sunita Williams Is Back On Earth; Prez Murmu, PM Modi Congratulate Crew-9 Astronauts

President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have congratulated Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams and Crew-9 astronauts after safely returning to the Earth on Wednesday.

Murmu's Congratulatory Message

In a post on X, President Murmu called Sunita Williams as the daughter of India and the Crew-9 astronauts have inspired people with their perseverance, dedication and never-say-die spirit.

She added, "Their historic journey is a tale of determination, teamwork and extraordinary courage. I salute their unwavering resolve and wish them excellent health!"

What PM Modi Said?

Prime Minister Modi shared an old picture of him with Sunita Williams and the team saying "The Earth missed you". In a post on X, he said, "Theirs has been a test of grit, courage and the boundless human spirit. Sunita Williams and the #Crew9 astronauts have once again shown us what perseverance truly means. Their unwavering determination in the face of the vast unknown will forever inspire millions."

PM Modi stated that space exploration is about pushing the limits of human potential, daring to dream, and having the courage to turn those dreams into reality. "Sunita Williams, a trailblazer and an icon, has exemplified this spirit throughout her career. We are incredibly proud of all those who worked tirelessly to ensure their safe return. They have demonstrated what happens when precision meets passion and technology meets tenacity," he added.

Sunita Williams' father Deepak Pandya hails from Jhulasan, a village in Gujarat's Mehsana district. However, he moved to the US in 1957. The astronaut had 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.

Defence Minister's Statement

Earlier, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the team and said that the astronauts have rewritten the history of human endurance and perseverance in Space.

He said, "Sunita Williams' incredible journey, unwavering dedication, fortitude and fighting spirit will inspire millions across the globe. Her safe return is a moment of celebration for space enthusiasts and the entire world. Her courage and achievements make us all proud.

Congratulations and a big thank you to all stakeholders for bringing them back safely on earth."

Williams and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore originally set off on June 5 last year aboard Boeing's Starliner crew capsule, expecting to spend only a week in space. However, technical failures with the spacecraft forced NASA to send Starliner back empty and transfer the astronauts to SpaceX's Crew Dragon, delaying their return until February.

Meanwhile, her relatives and villagers at Jhulasan in Gujarat celebrated her landing on the Earth by bursting crackers and dancing.