Haryana: Planetarium dedicated to Kalpana Chawla

Kurukshetra (Haryana), July 25: A planetarium has been opened in Kurukshetra in tribute to the late Indian-American astronaut Kalpana Chawla.

Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda inaugurated the planetarium in the presence of Tagore Bal Niketan students in Karnal, the alma mater of Chawla, who died in the 2003 Columbia Space Shuttle tragedy.

The planetarium was built at a cost of almost 65 million rupees on a five-acre plot, and houses120 seats.

"This planetarium would benefit the students and the masses. People would now get an opportunity to see the universe and the planets," said D D Gautam, Director of Science and Technology Department, Haryana.

Chawla has become a role model for all the students who want to dream the impossible. Her decision to take up aeronautical engineering was an unusual one in her time, and she continues to inspire students.

"Yes I would like to be Kalpana Chawla. She is my source of inspiration," said Pallavi, a student.

Kalpana was the first India-born crewmember of a U.S. space mission and the country's second astronaut after Rakesh Sharma, who visited space on a Soviet mission in 1984.

Chawla, 41, a symbol of national pride, was one among the crew of seven aboard the Columbia when it broke up high over Texas, as it was preparing for its descent.

It was Chawla's second shuttle mission. She moved to the United States in 1983 and joined NASA in 1988.

ANI

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