Kalpana Chawla

Kalpana Was born in Karnal on 17 march 1962, As the daughter

of Banarsidas Chawla
Kalpana had three siblings and she was the fourth and the
smallest among all. As Banarsidas had two daughters he wished
to have another boy but Kalpana was born. Her siblings included
Sunita Chawla, Deepa Chawla and Sanjay Chawla. From her
childhood the only thing that fascinated her was the sky and the
birds and the airplanes. Kalpana knew how much Physical
fitness necessary, so she used to ride bicycle after watching
Kalpana do this all the other girls used to say “look at that
Tomboy act Cycling is not for girls” then Kalpana would say “Do
you know how important physical fitness is , its nothing about
girl or boy” Her family and her relatives called her ‘Monto’. Little
Monto got her schooling done from ‘Tagore Bal Niketan’.
Kalpana Chawla in school group photo

Her Teachers were really supporting to her. And they also kept
updating her about the space and kept giving her information. As
Kalpana always used to talk and think about sky some Aunties
of society wondered if the little ‘Monto’ was a bird in her early
life. Her brother Sanjay had joined a flying club so he kept telling
her storeies of different things once she demanded to join the
flying club that time her father was abroad she somehow got her
father’s permission but the people were astonished to see a girl in
flying club. After her schooling she got good ranks and as her
college she got in Delhi, but her parents and the society didn’t
like a girl to go far away from Punjab and house. Therefore, they
compelled her to join ‘Punjab university’ she obtained ‘Bachelor
of engineering’ degree. She ranked first in her whole college
defending the all ‘Boys’ and proving that the gender doesn’t
matter. In 1982 Kalpana vent to US and got ‘Master of Science
in Aerospace engineering from University of Texas in Arlington
in 1984. She earned a doctorate in aerospace engineering Kalpana
was so passionate about being an Astronaut. She was inspired by
J.R.D. Tata, first pilot of India.
In Texas university she met Jean Perry Harrison. Kalpana and
J.P were good friends since he was connected to NASA This was
Kalpana’s chance to connect to NASA. In 1983n December
Kalpana Chawla and J.P got married.

Kalpana and J.P.

In 1994 Kalpana was selected for STS-87. She was so happy.

Even after her marriage she called herself Kalpana Chawla. And
even J.P never insisted to use Harrison as her surname. Today
Kalpana is a inspiration to the whole youth and all the woman.
Kalpana Chawla was an American astronaut and engineer who
was the first woman of Indian origin to go to space. She first
flew on Space Shuttle Columbia in 1997 as a mission specialist
and primary robotic arm operator Her crew included :
1. Michael Anderson
2. David brown
3. Laurel Clark
4. IIan Ramon, the first Israel born Astronaut
5. Rick Husband
6. William McCool
7. Kalpana Chawla

She had a chat with President Gujral in space :

President: Kalpana we are proud of you the whole India is
proud of person like you .

She returned home back from space safely. But she didn’t
wanted to stop here so she signed for one more mission STS-
107. Her second but unfortunately unfortunately last. After
doing several experiments in space all the Astronauts were
so happy and eager to return and meet there families. She
logged in space more than 375 hours in space, as she
travelled over 6.5 million miles in 252 orbits of the earth in
her first flight. When the mission specialist noted a problem
Columbia lost contact with NASA when it was returning
to earth ,
BLASTTT!
The space shuttle crashed and all the seven crew were
expired. Kalpana Chawla is still alive in our mind. Kalpana
was a great example for all us.
wit

-Shreeya .p Sawai