By Salil Gewali

Space is not just a vast expanse of wonder. It is also a vast void where one could find oneself floating through the weight of uncertainty. What was supposed to be a 90-day mission in zero gravity unexpectedly stretched into more than nine long months. During that time, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore went through challenges they probably never imagined.

In the weightlessness of space, where even the simplest tasks become monumental, Sunita faced unforeseen predicaments. However, she broke the glass ceiling and bravely endured everything that came her way. The long solitude never broke her spirit. Her resilience, in fact, ignites awe and sparks genuine inspiration in all of us.

             And now, with her safe return to Earth, it's nothing short of a collective victory for all of us. For millions of people watching, especially young audiences, Sunita is an intellectual idol. To be honest, at a time when so many young minds are increasingly drawn — like moths to a flame — by vulgar celebrities or influencers chasing the hollow fame of digital likes and views by any means, Sunita stands as a powerful reminder of what a true “role model” should look like. Needless to say, when our youth look up to the right role models, society undeniably grows healthier and stronger; but when the same admiration is misplaced, it can quietly erode the very foundation of our values.  

                  Well, as she steps back onto Earth, Sunita brings with her the wisdom of space—lessons in patience, discipline, fearlessness, and the sheer brilliance of human ingenuity. By all accounts, Sunita’s journey is not just one of space but one of boundless possibilities that emerge when someone dares to dream and rise higher and higher. Simply put, let us choose as “youth icons” those who move in the orbit of patience, courage, honesty, and true human values — not those who chase fleeting fame or peddle empty ideals and sensuality that “corrupt” our society.  

A writer and researcher based in India, Salil Gewali is best known for his research-based work, Great Minds on India, which has earned worldwide appreciation. His book has been translated into fifteen languages and edited by a former NASA scientist, Dr. AV Murali of Houston, USA. Gewali is also a member of the International Human Rights Commission Zürich, Switzerland.