Down Memory Lane: When Kalpana Chawla Shared Majestic View of Himalayas With Former PM IK Gujral From Space

New Delhi:  As we remember Kalpana Chawla on what would have been her 63rd birthday, we honor an inspiring figure who made history as the first woman of Indian-origin to go into space. Born in 1962 in Haryana 's Karnal, Chawla's remarkable journey from a small town in India to the vast expanse of space, soon became a symbol of ambition, perseverance and dedication for millions, especially women and the youth. 

During Kalpana Chawla's inaugural space mission, she received a call from the then Indian Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral, who congratulated her on this remarkable achievement aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia. The Prime Minister expressed his deepest gratitude and praised Chawla as an inspiring figure for Indians. He further extended an invitation to the entire crew, along with Chawla's family, to visit India upon their return to Earth. 

During the conversation, Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral quoted the words of Allama Muhammad Iqbal: "Beyond the stars, there are more worlds yet to be explored; the trials of love are yet to be endured”, literally acknowledging that now Chawla was witnessing the world beyond the stars. As she soared through space, Chawla shared an awe-inspiring view of the Himalayas from space with the Prime Minister and the Citizens of India.

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Chawla participated in two notable space missions:

1. Mission STS-87 (1997): A 16-day flight aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia, crewed by six members. Chawla specialised in operating the robotic arm, which she used to deploy the Spartan Satellite. 

2. Mission STS-107 (2003): A 16-day flight aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia, crewed by seven members. Chawla oversaw and conducted microgravity experiments on crystal growth, combustion, fire suppression and prostate cancer. 

Tragically, Chawla's second mission proved to be her final one, as the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated during re-entry, resulting in the loss of all crew members onboard. 

She was posthumously awarded the NASA Distinguished Service Medal and Congressional Space Medal of Honor in Recognitions for her career and sacrifice. Her achievements served as a beacon of hope, inspiring countless individuals to chase their dreams, regardless of the obstacles they may face.