Wax statue of Sunita Williams in astronaut-style suit unveiled at Bengal's museum

India Today

08-06-2025

A wax statue of astronaut Sunita Williams has been unveiled at the Susanta Ray Wax Museum in Asansol, West Bengal. The statue was officially inaugurated on Sunday by West Burdwan District Magistrate S Pannabalam and the state's Law and Labour Minister Malay Ghatak.Praising the craftsmanship of artist Susanta Ray, the District Magistrate said, "Susanta Ray is not only the pride of this district but of the whole of Bengal. His wax art is of international standard. He is a priceless gem of Bengal."advertisementMinister Malay Ghatak said, "This artist has made a name for himself not only in Bengal but across India. I hope he becomes the best wax artist in the country."
Sunita Williams, an American astronaut with ancestral roots in India, is celebrated for her extended stay aboard the International Space Station and for holding the record for one of the longest spacewalks by a woman.Speaking about his inspiration, artist Susanta Ray said, "The idea to create Sunita Williams's statue came to me after she returned from space following a long nine months. She is the pride of our country. Her life story will inspire the new generation to explore science and space."The wax statue took nearly two months to complete, slightly longer than Roy's usual timeline of one and a half months per statue. The main challenge, he said, was obtaining the astronaut-style suit, which was sourced from the United States at a cost of Rs 10,000, with assistance from the director of the Jaipur Wax Museum.advertisementThe statue has been crafted to mirror Sunita Williams's actual height, facial features, and body posture. Her vibrant space uniform, accurately replicated, has already captivated audiences. Since the unveiling, the museum has seen a surge of visitors, with people of all ages taking selfies and sharing videos on social media. Visitors were particularly struck by the statue's striking resemblance and Sunita's smiling expression.The Susanta Ray Wax Museum currently houses over a hundred wax figures, including representations of Shah Rukh Khan, Sushant Singh Rajput, Virat Kohli, Mahatma Gandhi, and Amitabh Bachchan. The museum also features a mirrored gallery named 'Sheesh Mahal', which enhances the visitor experience with creative light reflections.Must Watch