Wed Mar 19 06:59:55 UTC 2025: ## President Murmu Congratulates Sunita Williams on Safe Return from Historic Space Mission
**New Delhi, March 19, 2025** – President Droupadi Murmu today extended her congratulations to the entire team behind the successful return of NASA’s Crew-9 mission, praising the astronauts, including Indian-American Sunita Williams, for their remarkable perseverance and dedication.
Williams and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore completed a mission lasting 286 days – significantly longer than initially planned – spending over nine months in space. Their safe return to Earth on Tuesday prompted President Murmu to issue a statement via X (formerly Twitter), commending their “never-say-die spirit” and describing their journey as a testament to determination, teamwork, and extraordinary courage.
President Murmu lauded the astronauts’ unwavering resolve and wished them excellent health. Williams, whose father hails from Jhulasan village in Gujarat, has visited India several times and was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2008.
First Piper 