Sunita Williams joins Kerala Literature Festival in Kozhikode

Renowned NASA astronaut Sunita Williams arrived in Kozhikode on Wednesday night to participate in the Kerala Literature Festival (KLF), organised by DC Books. She engaged in multiple sessions of the festival, which continues until January 25.

Williams attended the inaugural event on Thursday evening alongside Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Other dignitaries and speakers included Kerala Tourism Minister P A Muhammad Riyas, Tamil Nadu Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, MP Thamizhachi Thangapandian, Kozhikode Mayor O Sadashivan, poet K Satchidanandan, actress Bhavana, actor Prakash Raj, Nirmala Lakshman, Chairperson of The Hindu Group, bureaucrat Divya S Iyer, German Consul General Achim Burkart, Dr Marla Stukenberg of the Goethe Institute, Dr Sayed Ibrahim, and A Pradeepkumar.

Later on Thursday evening, Williams spoke at a session titled “Dreams Reach Orbit: Meet the Astronaut Who Touched the Sky” , moderated by Preeti Choudhry. On Friday morning, she will interact with children in a session called “Once Upon a Time in Space” , moderated by actress Rima Kallingal.

On the final day of the festival, January 25, Williams is scheduled to participate in a discussion titled “Astronaut’s Odyssey” , moderated by journalist Barkha Dutt, followed by an evening session, “When Earth Can’t Keep You Down” , moderated by writer Manu S Pillai.

Reflecting on her visit, Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams said, “This has been an amazing trip… It's funny because it's one of those things that you feel good about, like relating to the people and meeting all the people that your parents are from and understanding how all of that makes the person that you are, including the food. In both countries, it's pretty amazing. I'm really happy and honoured to be here in India with everyone … Dreams are only as big as their imaginations, and particularly in this environment today, things are changing so rapidly, and people are coming up with ideas and actually making them come true. In the past, inventions were potentially hindered by technology, and now technology is racing up to the inventions people are having. Imagination is really the only limitation.”

Williams’s participation underscores the convergence of science, literature, and inspiration, offering festival attendees a unique opportunity to learn from one of India’s most celebrated astronauts about her journey, experiences in space, and the limitless power of imagination.