On the occasion of her birth anniversary, the legacy of Kalpana Chawla, the first Indian-origin woman astronaut, was beautifully commemorated by IFS officer Parveen Kaswan. Through a touching tribute that included a heartfelt note and a colour sketch, Kaswan celebrated the life and achievements of Chawla.
Kalpana Chawla’s story is one of remarkable determination. She broke barriers early in her life by becoming the first woman to enrol in the aeronautical engineering course at Punjab Engineering College in 1978. Her academic pursuits didn’t stop there; she went on to further her studies at the University of Texas, setting the stage for her ultimate achievement – joining NASA as an astronaut.
Chawla’s space odyssey began with her first mission aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1997, where she served as a mission specialist and primary robotic arm operator. This mission marked her as the first woman of Indian origin to fly in space, a monumental achievement.
“Today her name is among the most well known stars of Indian subcontinent. From city of Karnal to Stars, Kalpana Chawla still shines in millions of dreams. For she inspired youth to reach for the stars. Today is her birth anniversary,” Kaswan wrote.
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Tragically, Kalpana Chawla’s life and career were cut short when she, along with six other crew members, perished in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster in 2003. The spacecraft disintegrated during its re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere.
Despite the tragedy, Kalpana Chawla’s legacy endures. Her life story, from the streets of Karnal to the stars, serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration.
