India celebrates NASA astronaut's return from space (VIDEO)
The ancestral home of American astronaut Sunita Williams, who is of Indian descent, erupted in celebration when she safely returned to Earth after a nine-month stint in space, according to local media.
NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore were stuck in orbit for nine months due to technical failures of Boeing's Starliner capsule. They finally departed the International Space Station (ISS) aboard a SpaceX capsule on Tuesday, along with two other astronauts – NASA's Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov.
Hague and Gorbunov arrived at the space station in September to conduct experiments and perform spacewalks to carry out maintenance, according to NASA.
The SpaceX Dragon capsule containing the four astronauts splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico, off the coast of Florida, after a 17-hour descent.
The unplanned welcome crew!Crew-9 had some surprise visitors after splashing down this afternoon.🐬 pic.twitter.com/yuOxtTsSLV
Residents of Williams' ancestral village in the Indian state of Gujarat gathered to offer prayers and perform traditional rituals, while others danced in the streets and lit fireworks to mark the occasion, according to reports. Many were seen cheering while watching a NASA live-stream as they gathered to pray for Williams.
Mehsana, #Gujarat | People express joy and burst firecrackers in Jhulasan - the native village of #NASA astronaut #SunitaWilliams after the successful Splashdown of #SpaceX Dragon spacecraft carrying Crew-9 at Tallahassee, Florida.NASA's astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry… pic.twitter.com/UOnadMFQro
After the astronauts landed safely, villagers set off firecrackers and danced during the night as they celebrated her safe return near a temple in the village.
Earlier in the day, Dinesh Rawal, Williams' cousin, organized a 'Yagna', or holy function, to pray for her safe return. 'When she returned, we jumped with joy... I was so happy... Till yesterday, I had an unsettling feeling deep in my heart... God has listened to our prayers and brought our Suni back safely...' Rawal was quoted as saying by ANI.
#WATCH | Mehsana, Gujarat: Prayers are being offered at the Dola Mata Temple in Jhulasan, the native village of NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, for her safe return to Earth.NASA astronaut Sunita Williams along with other astronauts begin their homecoming to Earth after being… pic.twitter.com/xhf1QBwMu8#WATCH | Mehsana, Gujarat | People express joy and burst firecrackers in Jhulasan - the native village of NASA astronaut Sunita Williams after the successful Splashdown of SpaceX Dragon spacecraft carrying Crew-9 at Tallahassee, FloridaNASA's astronauts Sunita Williams and… pic.twitter.com/fKs9EVnPSf
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), India's space agency, offered its congratulations, calling her mission 'extraordinary' and said it would 'utilise [her] expertise in the space exploration.'
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed joy at the return of the stranded astronauts, calling their experience a 'test of grit, courage and boundless human spirit.'
Earlier this month, Modi wrote a letter to Williams, which was made public by Indian Space Minister Jitendra Singh on Tuesday. '1.4 billion Indians have always taken great pride in your achievements. Recent developments have yet again showcased your inspirational fortitude and perseverance,' the prime minister said. He added that people are looking forward to 'seeing you in India' and being able to host one of its 'most illustrious daughters.' Modi also inquired about the well-being of Williams when he met US President Donald Trump.In the past, Williams has spoken warmly about her roots and how her father's Indian heritage shaped her perspective. On one of her space missions, she carried a copy of the Hindu sacred text Bhagavad Gita, and an idol of Lord Ganesha.
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