She is neither a celebrity from Bollywood nor a famous sports person but she gets pestered like bees by both young kids and adults for her autograph. She is the astronaut lady, a new trend setter in space travel. She, only women who stayed 195 days continuously in Space Ship, stamping her face in the world history book and making marks in USA NASA history.
She is non-other than Sunita Williams, second Indo-American descendent enjoying her new celebrity status, well deserved for her accomplishments.
She is non-other than Sunita Williams, second Indo-American descendent enjoying her new celebrity status, well deserved for her accomplishments.
I got the rare opportunity to meet her last weekend during I-Day Celebration like any other Indian in Houston. Every year, Houston ICC celebrates India Independence day in a grand way with a apt theme. Theme for this year was "Incredible Women, Invincible India".
As soon I saw the invitation with Sunita Williams as the chief guest, I marked my calendar to be present for the occasion. I also picked up 3 questions to ask her if get an opporunity to talk to her.
As soon I saw the invitation with Sunita Williams as the chief guest, I marked my calendar to be present for the occasion. I also picked up 3 questions to ask her if get an opporunity to talk to her.
The formal celebration was suppose to start at 2pm but started as usual at the IST(meaning late) 2:30pm. The celebration was presided by Hon. Consul General S.M. Gavai. Starting with US National Anthem and Indian National Anthem sang by energtic youngmen on the vibrant tone.
Independence day message By Consul. General S.M. Gavai
He talked about India's growth, heritage and where we are heading in future. He also talked about the India Diaspora which is been expanding globally.
He talked about India's growth, heritage and where we are heading in future. He also talked about the India Diaspora which is been expanding globally.
Houston Indian Community assembled to celebrate the Independence Day
Sunita Williams was invited to deliver her Guest speech
Sunita Williams delivering her special speech
Transcript of her speech (for folks who can't view the video)
She talked about 2 important observations when she was in the Space ship.
She talked about 2 important observations when she was in the Space ship.
1. She portrayed the space ship has the big tube with one part developed by American, middle part by Russian and working on adding European and Japan modules. It also has the robotic arm from Canada. It has a window at the bottom where we see outside the atmosphere. From ship, the earth looks with no boundaries similarly to there is no limitation in this world of Independence.
2. Second one was that Earth looks so small from up Space. So we should continue to protect our planet by recycling, Green house projects for the future generations to come.
She kinda of read my mind and answered 2 of my questions in her speech itself. One common question people ask her all time was,
2. Second one was that Earth looks so small from up Space. So we should continue to protect our planet by recycling, Green house projects for the future generations to come.
She kinda of read my mind and answered 2 of my questions in her speech itself. One common question people ask her all time was,
"What was it to be women working in Male dominated Space field?
She replied back to that saying, she worked as a helicoptor pilot. Helicoptor don't know whether its man or woman, Space suit or craft don't know whether you are man or woman. Its just our perspective which puts us limitations. It doesn't matter for those materials. So we shouldn't worry about it.
Another one was "What she like to convey for the children?"
She quoted that we are going back to moon and planning to put our steps on to MARS and I will be too old for all that. So I would like to see the younger generations taking up the challenge to beat feat I achieved and go on to make records.
Those are really humble words from her. Its really a crip and clear speech.
Sunita Williams in Space Ship
Sunita's Closeup in NASA Booth
There was a big line with a combination of young kids and adults including grandpa's standing in line to talk to her and get her autograph during her appearance in the NASA booth. I was also one among them and this was the pics taken close up short. As I planned, I decided to ask her the only question remaining to be answered since she already mentioned about two other questions in her speech.
I was totally excited to get to talk her and ask her few words. I asked her "Who was your inspiration to be an Astronaut?
She said, it was Gandhiji obviously, then her father and another astronaut John.
Sunita Williams Autograph
I was totally excited to get to talk her and ask her few words. I asked her "Who was your inspiration to be an Astronaut?
She said, it was Gandhiji obviously, then her father and another astronaut John.
Sunita Williams Autograph
Sunita mingled with people
She was crunch of her time and had to leave. So she had only little time to talk to us which made hard get picture with her. So people just went close to her and try to get a snap whenever they can.
Ashwin and me with her
Picture when she was leaving
She is an dreamer and achiever. I believe in people who put their die hard effort to reach their dreams. It was totally an exhilirating moment to meet somebody of her status especially the Space lady who just landed on to Earth.
I feel, its indeed my honor to meet and have a word with her.
I feel, its indeed my honor to meet and have a word with her.
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