Sunita receives resounding welcome in her home village

JHULASAN: Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams was given a resounding welcome by people of her ancestral village during her visit here on Friday.
    
On the occasion, Williams gave an inspirational speech saying that borders were only in the mind and that she was amidst many future astronauts here.
    
"I am a bit old now as an astronaut. Here I see many future astronauts," she said in her brief speech made in English, which was translated in Gujarati for the benefit of the villagers.
    
"Planet Earth looks beautiful from space. There are no borders on the Earth," she said, recounting her space experience of record (for a woman) 195-days aboard the space shuttle Discovery.
    
Williams is on a week-long visit to her parental state.
    
"Though I cannot understand your language perfectly I can experience your love. Thanks for praying for my safe return," Sunita said, urging people to be the citizens of the World.
    
"Though an American citizen, I am still a daughter of India and Jhulasan. Likewise, you too are and can be citizens of the world," the astronaut said.
    
The whole village was decked up for her visit. Sunita also visited the village deity where special prayers were offered for her safe return to Earth earlier.
    
Rishab Patel, a seventh standard boy, said he was very happy that Sunita Williams had decided to visit their village. He said this will work as an inspiration to many.
    
Later she headed for her grandfather's ancestral village Nadipur. Jhulasan is the place where Sunita's father grew up.