The US Astronaut Sunita Williams called on Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Mrs. Manmohan Singh here today. She was accompanied by her father.

The Prime Minister told Ms. Williams that India was truly proud of her achievements and that she is a source of inspiration for all our young people. The Prime Minister announced that the Government of India will finance ten scholarships, five for girls and five for boys to promote the study of outer space. These scholarships will be called the Sunita Williams Scholarships for Higher Education in Space. (SWISHES). The Union Minister for Science and Technology Mr. Kapil Sibal will announce the details of the scholarship.

Ms. Sunita Williams told the Prime Minister that she was overwhelmed by the love and affection she received in India and by the interest of young Indians in aeronautics and space exploration.