Even in the vastness of space, Sunita Williams stayed grounded — checking in on family, sharing stories from orbit, and keeping spirits high. “She was never anxious, never worried. She would call, ask about everyone and chat about space like it was just another day at work,” said her sister-in-law, Falguni Pandya based in New Jersey in the US.
But as much as she loved the stars, home was always on her mind. “Her sole request before returning was a piping hot bowl of her mother’s dal dhokli. She was just waiting to pack up and come back,” Falguni added.
“Despite being idolised across the world, she is refreshingly down-to-earth. With family, she is just like any of us—cheerful, warm, and full of life,” Falguni said.
Williams not only carried the weight of history, science and tradition into space, but also a piece of her personal heritage with her — a Lord Ganesh idol. No taller than an inch, the idol had been given to her by her father, Deepak Pandya, in 2007, and has accompanied her on multiple missions.
It first journeyed with her aboard the space shuttle Discovery in 2007, then again in 2012, tucked safely alongside a copy of the Bhagavad Gita. This time, in 2024, only the Ganesh idol made the trip. For her, the idol is more than just a religious token; it is her good luck charm, a reminder of her father’s teachings and a source of comfort in the vast loneliness of space.