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Sunita Williams News: After an extended stay of over nine months at the International Space Station (ISS), Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams is set to return to Earth. Her landing is scheduled for Tuesday at 05:57 EDT (03:27 AM IST on Wednesday). Sunita, along with her crewmate Butch Wilmore, initially embarked on a week-long mission in June 2024. However, technical issues with their Boeing Starliner spacecraft delayed their return. Their homecoming is now possible due to the recent launch of SpaceX Crew-10, which took off from Kennedy Space Center on March 14. This new crew will take over from the current astronauts, ensuring a smooth transition before Sunita and Butch head home.

Sunita William's Indian Connection

While much attention has been given to Sunita’s extraordinary journey in space, her strong ties to her Indian heritage also deserve recognition. Born on September 19, 1965, in Euclid, Ohio, to Deepak and Bonnie Pandya, Sunita’s roots trace back to Jhulasan village in Gujarat, India. Her father, Deepak Pandya, was a neuroscientist who migrated to the United States in 1957.

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Jhulasan, a small village with a population of around 7,000, is proud of its connection to Sunita. The village is home to a library named after her grandparents and her father's ancestral home. Sunita has visited Jhulasan three times—after her space missions in 1972, 2007 and 2013. During one of her visits, she generously donated funds to a local school, where a picture of her grandparents can still be found in the prayer hall.

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Jhulasan's Symbol of Hope: An Oil Lamp Burning for Sunita's Safe Return

The people of Jhulasan have shown unwavering support for Sunita, especially during her extended stay at the ISS. Since news broke of her being stranded in space, residents have kept an oil lamp burning as a symbol of hope for her safe return. The village has been praying for her well-being.