Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams has never been embarrassed about her Indian ancestry, particularly Gujarat. Her father, Dr. Deepak Pandya, was born in Jhulasan, a tiny village near Ahmedabad. These roots have led her to Gujarat a number of times, where she has met with the locals, talking to them about her astronaut life and inspiring them with her success.Ahead of one of her missions in space, she embarked on a personal expedition to follow her family roots, visiting significant places in Ahmedabad and Jhulasan.
Jhulasan: Her Ancestral Village
Jhulasan, a small village of around 5,000 inhabitants, is predominantly made up of farming villages. It is particularly significant to Williams because it is the birthplace of her father. Dr. Deepak Pandya migrated to America in the early 1960s, but the family origins are still in the village. Her visit to Jhulasan was like a homecoming, in that she was able to reconnect with her heritage and meet the individuals who contributed to her family’s history.
![](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,<svg height="1080px" width="1920px" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" version="1.1"/>)
![](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,<svg height="459px" width="816px" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" version="1.1"/>)
Visit to the Dola Mata Temple
During his stay in Jhulasan, Williams toured the Dola Mata Temple, a rare site that has combined religious and cultural practices. The temple stands out in the sense that it commemorates a Muslim lady as a Hindu deity, representing religious harmony and tolerance. Such unique feature is true to the indigenous tradition of such a coexistence of faiths.
Paying Homage at Sabarmati Ashram
Having grown up in a multicultural household where she celebrated both Diwali and Christmas, Williams was profoundly influenced by her father’s admiration for Mahatma Gandhi. Dr. Deepak Pandya deeply believed in Gandhian principles, which shaped Williams’ perspective as well. During her trip, she visited Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, a site closely associated with India’s freedom struggle. Now a museum, the ashram preserves Gandhi’s legacy of non-violence and simple living.
During her stay, Williams actively interacted with communities within the state, especially among schoolchildren. She spoke to them about the importance of education, determination, and aspirations, and encouraged them to dream big regardless of where they came from. By describing herself as an astronaut, she challenged the youth to pursue their highest aspirations and aspire for excellence.
