- Title: Indian ancestral village of Sunita Williams prays for her safe return to Earth
- Date: 18th March 2025
- Summary: VARIOUS OF STUDENTS PRAYING (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) PRINCIPAL, ANUPAM PRIMARY SCHOOL, VISHAL KUMAR KANTILAL PANCHAL, SAYING: "When she (Sunita Williams) visited the primary school last two times, we welcomed her and held a felicitation ceremony on the school grounds. Now, when she comes here for the third time, we will hold a great ceremony for her. At the moment, she is in sp
- Embargoed:
- Keywords: Butch Wilmore Gujarat India International Space Station SpaceX Sunita Williams aerospace space exploration
- Location: MAHESANA, GUJARAT, INDIA
- City: MAHESANA, GUJARAT, INDIA
- Country: India
- Topics: Asia / Pacific,Science,Space Exploration
- Reuters ID: LVA003M0QFHHR
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: People in western Gujarat's Jhulasan village, the ancestral village of astronaut Sunita Williams, conducted prayers on Tuesday (March 18) for her safe return to Earth.
Students in schools joined in for the rituals as they prayed with folded hands. Framed photograph of Williams with vermilion on it was also seen at the village temple.
Sacred Hindu rituals were also performed for the safe return of the astronaut who has been stuck in International Space Station (ISS) for the last nine months.
"We performed 'havan' (referring to 'Yajna' or offering to Hindu God in front of a sacred Fire) for her (Sunita Williams) and at the moment, prayers are going on," said a priest.
The astronaut duo of Williams and Butch Wilmore had traveled to the ISS in June last year for a test mission, but their return was extended by nine months to March, after the Boeing Starliner capsule they arrived on was deemed unfit to return them to Earth. - Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2025. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None