Page 8 - NIS English 16-31,March 2023

Personality Kalpana Chawla

KALPANA CHAWLA

‘WINGS” OF INSPIRATION

BORN: MARCH 17, 1962
DIED: FEBRUARY 1, 2003

India-born astronaut Kalpana Chawla is one such symbol of women's empowerment who has
flown beyond her wildest dreams. She travelled to space not once, but twice, proving that even
the height of the sky can be too short for India's daughters. Kalpana Chawla, who made inspiring
history in science, inspired people to keep moving forward and reaching unimaginable heights.
Even though she died in the Columbia space shuttle disaster, she continues to be an example
and inspiration to millions of young people around the world.

ven after she has left the world, Indian-origin the Space Shuttle Columbia on January 16, 2003.
Nasa space scientist Kalpana Chawla's name However, this was her final flight because, on
E is still on the list of people who inspire others. February 1, 2003, the Columbia Shuttle exploded as
Kalpana was born on March 17, 1962, in Karnal, it was returning to Earth's orbit following a space
Haryana, to father Banarasi Lal Chawla and mother mission. Kalpana Chawla and six other passengers
Sanjyoti. Kalpana, the youngest in the family, has in the vehicle were killed. Kalpana Chawla may not
always been interested in science. When Kalpana's be with us today, but every daughter who looks
father noticed her interest in space and flying, he did into space wishes to make her country proud by
not hesitate. Kalpana Chawla moved to the United becoming Kalpana Chawla.
States to further her education. She joined NASA, When Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited
the American space agency, in 1988. On November America on June 6, 2016, he paid a floral tribute
19, 1997, India's first woman astronaut, Kalpana to Kalpana Chawla at the Space Shuttle Columbia
Chawla, was launched into space aboard STS 87, Memorial. Remembering Kalpana Chawla, Prime
the Columbia Shuttle. Kalpana Chawla spent 372 Minister Narendra Modi in his monthly radio
hours in space and made 252 orbits during this flight programme "Mann Ki Baat" on January 28, 2018
covering a distance of approximately 65 lakh miles. said, "It is a matter of sorrow for all that we have
Nearly five years and ten months after her lost Kalpana Chawla at such a young age, but
first successful mission, NASA decided to send she has given a message to thousands of girls all
Kalpana Chawla into space again. She was over the world, especially in India, that there is no
assigned a key role on the seven-person team for limit for women's power. Nothing is impossible if
the 16-day mission. Kalpana Chawla made India there is will and determination and a spirit to do
proud by flying into space for the second time on something."

6 New India Samachar March 16-31, 2023