Kalpana Chawla - remembering the name synonymous with courage and bravery

Kalpna Chawla, a hero the world will always be proud of. Today we commemorate her on the 16th death anniversary. Though the day brings memories we hate, but as everyone we would love to remember her story as the symbol of strength, courage and perseverance.

Kalpana Chawla was born in the city of Karnal, Haryana on March 17, 1962. She was a lover of poetry, dancing, cycling and running. She completed her bachelors in Aeronautical Engineering from Punjab University and later moved to Texas to pursue Masters in Aerospace Engineering the from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Kalpana Chawla then studied further and finished her second masters and Ph.D. from the University of Colorado Boulder. She joined NASA 1988.

She always held a fascination for airplanes and would draw airplanes in her free time when she was a child. She later went on to become a Certificated Flight Instructor when she was working in NASA.

She went on her first space mission in 1997 in Space Shuttle Columbia flight STS-87. She was the first woman of Indian origin to go to space. Kalpana Chawla traveled over 10.4 million miles and logged over 472 hours.  It was on her second mission she faced the disheartening tragedy and died along with her six crew members in Space Shuttle Columbia STS-107

Twitteratis pay their tribute to the woman who made us all proud :

A woman who taught the little girls to dream. Remembering #KalpanaChawla, the first Indian woman in space on her death anniversary. She stills shines bright as a source of inspiration ❤

— Madhuri Dixit Nene (@MadhuriDixit) February 1, 2019

Humble tributes to #KalpanaChawla on her death anniversary. It has been 16 years since she left us in the Columbia Space Shuttle mishap. We remember her for her astronomical achievements. She continues to inspire all, especially young women, who aspire to become astronauts. pic.twitter.com/J49A3u1Rzr

— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) February 1, 2019

Rembering Indias frst female origin to go space Late #KalpanaChawla she is an inspirations fr millions pic.twitter.com/I2EaE8o5Qn

— Shubham Agarwal (@shubhagarwal786) February 1, 2019

Kalpana Chawla was an Indian-American astronaut and the first female of Indian origin to go to space. She famously spoke the following words while traveling in the weightlessness of space, "You are just your intelligence."#KalpanaChawla pic.twitter.com/edvFCuPgfu

— Anand_vvs (@AnandSa11526010) February 1, 2019

Tributes to #KalpanaChawla the 1st woman of Indian ?? origin in space on her death anniversary.???
Kalpana Chawla died in skies on Feb 1, 2003. Chawla & 6 other astronauts were killed when their space shuttle #Columbia shattered in skies over Texas.#OnThisDay @gauravcsawant pic.twitter.com/9jwCamITkh

— Anita Chauhan (@anita_chauhan80) February 1, 2019

I want to pay tribute to #KalpanaChawla. She was an exceptional and gifted human being. In good times and bad, she never lost her capacity to smile and laugh, nor to inspire others with her warmth and kindness. I admired & respect especially for her devotion @INDIA. pic.twitter.com/SuUjjAV8ty

— Vinay Kumar Gaur (@gaurVinayKumar) February 1, 2019

#KalpanaChawla
??? pic.twitter.com/I3BbZg2jYL

— Syed Mohmmad Quasim (@imsyedmdquasim) February 1, 2019

We remember the girl from Haryana who dared to dream big, for whom even sky wasn’t the limit,who with her perseverance became the first Indian woman to travel to the space,who become the role model for every little girl.

Tributes to #KalpanaChawla, a life that inspired billions!

— Arpit Chatra (@ArpitChatra) February 1, 2019

Also read: 70th Republic Day: All you need to know about the ceremony

Remembering the symbol of women empowerment and renowned astronaut #KalpanaChawla ji on her death anniversary. Her achievements continue to inspire everyone till date.

— Bhawnaa Rathore (@Bhawna_Abvp) February 1, 2019

Humble tributes to #KalpanaChawla, the first woman of Indian origin in space on her death anniversary. She would always be a source of inspiration as a courageous achiever and give strength to young people especially women. pic.twitter.com/DpHgzALgQZ

— Alok Sharma (@AlokSha81786644) February 1, 2019

"The path from dreams to success does exist. May you have the vision to find it, the courage to get on to it, and the perseverance to follow it."

My Tributes to Kalpana Chawla on her death anniversary.#KalpanaChawla pic.twitter.com/xnKSEEJ4Xs

— @Kalpeshbhojani1 (@Kalpeshbhojan10) February 1, 2019

Kalpana Chawla said “The journey matter as much as the goal” and we could not agree more with these wise words.