|
Back from the stars, remembering roots
"Reach for the stars," says a message from the
six-member crew which shuttled into space abroad the NASA space mission
named STS-87, which included the first Indian-born woman to go to space,
Kalpana Chawla.
The message duly signed by the entire crew has been sent "For the
students, teachers and staff of Punjab Engineering College," which
was the alma mater of Kalpana Chawla.
This along with the NASA badge is a part of the memorabilia all set to
adorn the corridors of Punjab Engineering College. Kalpana has sent
memorabilia from the NASA flight to her alma mater and the college is
now planning to honour its famous alumnus.
A Columbia space mission badge mentioning Kalpana's name along with the
rest of the crew has also been sent to the college. College authorities
have framed it and it now adorns the room of the college principal,
Rajnish Parkash. The badge also has a pictorial representation of the
space craft with the name `Columbia' embossed on it.
Another picture sent by Kalpana is her own picture along with the entire
crew. Decked in their space suits, all of them have autographed the
picture.
According to principal Rajnish Parkash the picture is being enlarged and
will be displayed in the college. He said this would inspire college
students in the years to come. R.C.Gupta, of PEC mentions that four
mounted posters are being prepared to be displayed at different places,
one in the college corridor and the conference hall. Another poster
would find a place in the Aeronautical Department and the last one will
be displayed in the college library.
The memorabilia was sent to the college by Kalpana's teacher and former
Head of the Department of Aeronautical Engineering, Prof V.S.Malhotra.
Passing on the souvenirs to the college, Prof Malhotra has mentioned to
the college that a relative of Kalpana should be invited to formally
present these souvenirs to the college authorities.
Meanwhile, the enthusiasm generated by the space visit of Kalpana had
college authorities looking for details about her stay in the college.
An interesting picture which has been retrieved is that of Kalpana
during her student days. The picture shows her dressed in a track suit practicing
with the skipping rope at the college grounds during the annual sports
meet.
Monday, June 15, 1998
http://www.expressindia.com/ie/daily/19980615/16651564.html
|