Haryana Assembly welcomes safe return of Sunita Williams and others

The Haryana Assembly has expressed happiness over the safe return of NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and her fellow Crew-9 members after a long and challenging mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The resolution was moved by Haryana's Energy and Transport Minister, Anil Vij, during the ongoing budget session. He praised the efforts of NASA scientists and highlighted Williams’ strong connection to India, especially her roots in Gujarat.

Haryana assembly's resolution

During the Haryana Assembly session on Wednesday, Anil Vij informed the House about the successful return of Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams and other crew members. Vij moved a resolution, suggesting that the House should officially express its happiness over their safe return and inform Williams about this gesture. The resolution was accepted unanimously by the Assembly.

Williams, along with NASA astronauts Nick Hague and Butch Wilmore and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, returned to Earth onboard SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft. Their mission ended with a successful splashdown in the sea off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida, on Wednesday morning.

Vij mentioned that Williams and Wilmore were test pilots for Boeing's new Starliner capsule. Their eight-day mission was initially planned to be short but ended up lasting more than nine months due to a series of technical issues, including helium leaks and thruster failures. The Starliner spacecraft was deemed unsafe to return with the astronauts and was brought back to Earth without them in September. Despite these challenges, NASA ensured their safe return after 286 days in space, which was 278 days longer than planned.

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Sunita Williams’ Indian connection

Anil Vij highlighted Sunita Williams' Indian roots during the Assembly proceedings. He said that Williams' father, Deepak Pandya, was from Jhulasan, a village in Gujarat's Mehsana district. Williams has always been proud of her Indian heritage and carries a copy of the Bhagavad Gita and samosas with her during her space missions.

Williams has visited India several times, including trips in 2007 and 2013 after her space missions. She was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2008 in recognition of her achievements. Vij emphasized that Williams' success is a source of pride for India and that the Haryana Assembly should formally communicate its joy to her.

Vij also expressed gratitude to the NASA team for their hard work in ensuring the crew's safe return despite the technical issues. He said that the successful completion of the mission reflects the dedication and expertise of NASA scientists and engineers.

Williams and Wilmore's prolonged stay in space created several health and psychological challenges. The astronauts had to adapt to life in microgravity for an extended period, which included performing regular maintenance on the ISS and conducting scientific experiments. Their mission was one of the longest unplanned stays in space, highlighting the resilience and strength of the crew.

Sunita Williams’ story continues to inspire young Indians, especially those interested in science and space exploration. Her journey reflects not only personal success but also the strong ties between India and the global scientific community. The Haryana Assembly's resolution serves as a reminder of the importance of celebrating the achievements of individuals who bring pride to the nation.