Space crunch for space woman

Sunita Williams is visiting Gujarat from April 4, but request for hosting her interaction with children at Science City has not been granted yet

Yogesh Avasthi
Posted On Saturday, March 30, 2013 (http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/article/2/2013033020130330034020296afd97399/Space-crunch-for-space-woman.html)
Sunita Williams. The world hails her as the woman who has spent the highest number of days in space. Gujarat celebrates her as its own, for she is of Gujarati origin; has been honoured with the country’s third highest civilian award Padma Bhushan; given honorary doctorate of Gujarat Technological University and took time out to interact with kids from Gujarat when she was orbiting the earth. The chief minister hailed her when she took off for her last space odyssey and welcomed her back 127 days later, tweeting, “Welcome back Sunita Williams!
You are truly an inspiration for all, especially for youth and women. We are very proud of you.” Yet when Williams visits Gujarat for three days, beginning April 4, the state government has no time for her. To quote its senior most science and technology officer, Williams’ Gujarat visit is “market gossip” and he would not like to comment on it. Williams had last visited the state in 2007. It is an irony that is hard to digest. An enthusiastic Science City had gone the extra mile when Indian- American astronaut had gone to space last year. It arranged a Ham radio interaction between her and the children on Science City premises.
But now when Williams is coming to the city, Science City, controlled by the state government, seems indifferent. Indian Council for Social Welfare which has organised the trip released Williams’ itinerary in Gujarat, according to which she will visit a temple at Jhulasan, interact with students in a programme organised by Rajasthan Seva Samiti, physically challenged kids at Polio Foundation, visit United World School of Business and Sabarmati Ashram, and address GTU function where she will be handed over the honorary PhD degree that was conferred on her on January 6 convocation.
When contacted, Additional Chief Secretary Ravi Saxena in charge of science and technology said, “I don’t know and I have no information whether she is coming or not. No one from NASA or anywhere has told us anything about this. To give an authorised statement on common market place gossip, is not my concern. It is hear say. There is no authorised information on this.” Rajasthan Seva Samiti, which spearheaded certain programmes with Williams when she came last, is facing difficulties this time getting venue arranged. “We asked them (Science City) for a venue where we can arrange interactions of children with Williams around 15 days back, but these is no proper response so far.
We have held meetings with them but nothing has been finalised,” said a source from this organisation. The samiti has already sent out invitation. Since response was not forthcoming from Science City, it was planning to host programmes and interaction sessions at Rajasthan Hindi High School. Modi, too, has been invited and it has been officially communicated to the CM’s office, but the CMO too is yet to confirm his presence, said sources. Bherulal Hiran, Trustee, Rajasthan Seva Samiti said , “We were trying to talk to Science City but due to some technical reasons, the venue did not materialise. We might hold programme at Rajasthan Hindi High School or Sardar Patel Bhavan, if we do not get the venue.” Hiran added , “We have plans to invite the chief minister, too, but that can happen only if we get grounds at Science City.” Sources in Science City said they were waiting for the chief minister to confirm his presence at Williams’ programme before giving its premises as the venue.

HONORARY DOCTORATE
Gujarat Technological University (GTU) had confer honorary doctorate degree on Sunita Williams, A M Naik of Larsen and Toubro and spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar during its convocation in January. The decision was taken at a meeting of the board of governors of the university. It was decided to honour Williams for her two journeys into the space and her long stay there and making. “She has made a lot of contribution in the field of space science," GTU Registrar Gitesh Joshi had said. Williams will be officially handed over the degree on April 6.

‘BEST WISHES… AND WELCOME BACK’
‘As Sunita Williams headed Soyuz spacecraft takes off…Our best wishes to the mission,” tweeted chief Minister Narendra Modi. When she returned after 127 days, he welcomed her, again tweeting, “Welcome back Sunita Williams! You are truly an inspiration for all, especially for youth and women. We are very proud of you.” Williams returned to earth after setting a record of most spacewalking time by a female at 50 hours and 40 minutes over seven career excursions. Williams was the commander of Expedition 33 on the International Space Station (ISS).