The Hindu : Chautala institutes award in Kalpana's memory

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Monday, Feb 03, 2003

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Chautala institutes award in Kalpana's memory

By Our Special Correspondent

The Haryana Chief Minister, Om Prakash Chautala, paying tributes to astronaut, Kalpana Chawla, at a meeting in Gurgaon on Sunday.

CHANDIGARH FEB. 2. A virtual pall of gloom enveloped not only Karnal, hometown of Kalpana Chawla, but the entire State of Haryana, besides Chandigarh, where she was an alumni of the Punjab Engineering College. Chawla was aboard the space shuttle, Columbia, which exploded over Texas on Saturday.

The Haryana Government decided to observe a two-day State mourning. All Government offices, boards, corporations and educational institutions remained closed today and will do so tomorrow as a mark of respect to the "daughter of Haryana.'' The Government also announced the institution of an award and scholarships to commemorate the memory of the astronaut.

The Haryana Chief Minister, Om Prakash Chautala, announced a "Kalpana Chawla Memorial Gold Medal'' to the girl student securing maximum marks in class 10 examination. He also announced five monthly commemorative scholarships of Rs. 2000 each, which would be awarded for four years, to the girls who obtained maximum marks among the students of the 31 engineering colleges in the State. The women polytechnics at Ambala, Faridabad and Sirsa would be named after Kalpana to inspire the future generations.

Paying tributes to Kalpana at a women's conference in Gurgaon, Mr. Chautala said she was a great source of inspiration for the youth. He hoped that the Centre would confer a befitting award on the first Indian woman astronaut in view of her exemplary courage and significant achievement. A special meeting of the State Cabinet would be convened shortly in which such a proposal would be passed and forwarded to the Centre.

The State Chief Secretary, A. N. Mathur, paid homage to Kalpana at a condolence meeting in Karnal.

Speaking on the occasion, Ajay Chautala, MP, said that Kalpana would remain a source of inspiration for all, especially children.

Mourners flocked to the Tagore Bal Niketan School in Karnal, where Kalpana had her early schooling, and participated in a prayer meeting.

Ironically, a celebration of sorts was on at the school last evening in anticipation of Kalpana's return.

Kalpana obtained her degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the Punjab Engineering College here. She was honoured by the college in April last.

A banner, depicting her association with the college, was presented to her along with a letter of best wishes from the Punjab Governor and the UT Chandigarh Administrator, J.F.R. Jacob, PVSM (Retd.).

Gen. Jacob instituted a Kalpana Chawla Memorial Award, to be awarded to the best student of aeronautical sciences in the college.

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Chautala institutes award in Kalpana's memory