Press Trust of India Posted online: Monday, February 03, 2003 at 1404 hours IST Updated: Monday, February 03, 2003 at 1520 hours IST
Chandigarh, February 3: Glowing tributes were paid to Kalpana Chawla by staff, students and alumni of the Punjab Engineering College (PEC). She had graduated from this institute in aeronautical engineering. Punjab Governor J.F.R. Jacob described the Indian-American astronaut as a vibrant person with a spirit of adventure.
Chawla, who was among the seven astronauts on the ill-fated space shuttle Columbia that exploded on Saturday, was a vibrant, dedicated and sincere person with a spirit of adventure, Jacob said addressing a prayer meeting at the college, which was also attended by senior Civil and Air Force officials.
The girls’ hostel at PEC will be named after the leading astronaut, the governor said, adding an award, carrying a cash prize of Rs 25,000, a silver medal and a certificate, had been instituted in Chawla's honour to be given to the best student of Aeronautical Engineering.
Chawla, who completed her early education from Karnal in Harayana, graduated from the PEC in early eighties and was carrying a banner from her college during her last space mission.
A two-minute silence was also observed by the gathering and wreaths were laid at the "PEC memorabilia" displaying the astronaut's photograph and her signatures and message to the students of the college.
Among others present on the occasion included AOC three base repair depot (brd) Air Commodore S.B. Prashar and Deputy Commissioner Ramshekhar. The college has declared holiday on Monday as a mark of respect for the astronaut.
Chandigarh, February 3: Glowing tributes were paid to Kalpana Chawla by staff, students and alumni of the Punjab Engineering College (PEC). She had graduated from this institute in aeronautical engineering. Punjab Governor J.F.R. Jacob described the Indian-American astronaut as a vibrant person with a spirit of adventure.
