Sunita a source of inspiration for Indian women: PM

New Delhi, Sep 21 (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Friday invited visiting Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams to meet him in New Delhi and praised her as a source of inspiration for Indian women.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Manmohan Singh congratulated Williams for her “unique achievement” and contribution to the human quest for a “better understanding of our universe”.


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Williams, who is currently visiting Gujarat, her father’s home state, had set a world record this year by being the only woman astronaut to stay in space for a period of 195 days.

She will also participate in the International Astronaut Summit in Hyderabad as part of her week-long India visit.

“The prime minister said that she is a role model for Indian children and a source of inspiration for Indian women. India feels proud of her achievement, even though she is a citizen of the United States of America,” a PMO official said.

Manmohan Singh also invited Williams to visit the national capital and “meet him”.

On Thursday, Williams landed in Ahmedabad. This is her second visit to Gujarat, the first being in 1998. She went to the Gandhi Ashram at Sabarmati to pay tribute to the Father of the Nation. She also interacted with over 1,000 school children.

On Sep 24, Williams, 42, will go to Hyderabad to attend the 58th International Astronautical Congress, where she will interact with Indian scientists and share her experience of living in space and doing space walks.

On July 23, Manmohan Singh joined millions of Indians in congratulating Williams on her safe return to earth after her record space odyssey.

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