West Bengal Sculptor Creates Stunning Wax Statue of NASA Astronaut Sunita Williams

Sculptor Susanta Ray's Tribute to Sunita Williams

Asansol: Susanta Ray, a sculptor from the Mohishila Colony in West Bengal, has recently captured public interest with his remarkable wax statue of NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, who has spent over nine months in space. The statue has attracted numerous visitors, including the Law Minister and the District Magistrate, eager to see this impressive work.

Ray drew inspiration from Williams' extraordinary long-duration spaceflight, emphasizing the significance of her achievement as a woman in space for such an extended period. He noted that even a day in a confined space can be challenging, making her patience and successful return to Earth a testament to women's empowerment. Her journey serves as a source of inspiration for many, especially young women interested in science and space exploration.

Williams' commitment to her profession has motivated countless young individuals. Ray revealed that he invested approximately 250,000 rupees in creating the statue, which took him about two months to complete. He aimed to dress the statue in the same outfit Williams wore during her space missions.

However, Ray faced challenges in replicating the outfit and eventually reached out to a friend with a museum in Jaipur, who was in the United States at the time. His friend purchased a similar outfit for 10,000 rupees, with an additional 10,000 rupees spent on shipping.

Known for crafting statues of various notable figures, Ray expressed that creating the statue of Sunita Williams was a unique experience that filled him with pride. Williams, born on September 19, 1965, in Ohio, USA, to an Indian father and a Slovenian mother, earned a degree in Physics from the US Naval Academy and a master's in Engineering Management. She holds the record for the longest spaceflight by a woman and was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2008.