New Delhi: In a video message sent down from the International Space Station (ISS), NASA astronaut Sunita Williams extended her warmest wishes for Diwali to those celebrating the festival of lights across the globe.
“Greetings from the ISS,” Williams said, her voice echoing across the vast expanse of space. “I want to extend my warmest wishes for a Happy Diwali to everyone celebrating today at the White House and around the world.”
#WATCH | Washington DC | White House Diwali Celebrations | NASA Astronaut Sunita Williams shares a video message on Diwali from the International Space Station.
She says, “Greetings from the ISS. I want to extend my warmest wishes for a Happy Diwali to everyone celebrating… pic.twitter.com/YEv3wNAxW9
— ANI (@ANI) October 28, 2024
This unique Diwali celebration, 260 miles above Earth, holds special significance for Williams, an Indian-American astronaut, who reflected on her father’s dedication to preserving their cultural heritage by teaching her about Diwali and other Indian festivals.
“This year I have the unique opportunity to celebrate Diwali from 260 miles above the earth on the ISS…My father kept and shared his cultural roots by teaching us about Diwali and other Indian festivals,” she said.
Williams’ message resonates even deeper with the simultaneous Diwali celebration taking place at the White House, an event attended by US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. She expressed gratitude to the administration for recognizing the contributions of the Indian-American community and for celebrating Diwali with them. “Diwali is a time of joy as goodness in the world prevails…Thank you to the President and the Vice President for celebrating Diwali with our community today and for recognising the many contributions of our community,” she can be heard saying in the video.
Williams’ message was delivered during a prolonged stay aboard the ISS, originally planned as a week-long test flight. The mission was extended to almost eight months after an unforeseen issue arose with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, forcing a delay in her return to Earth. She and her fellow astronaut Butch Willmore, who joined her in June, are scheduled to return to Earth in February 2024.
