Punjab Engineering College Pays Homage to Illustrious Alumna Kalpana Chawla on 21st Death Anniversary

Chandigarh : Punjab Engineering College (Deemed to be University), Chandigarh, commemorated the 21st Death Anniversary of one of its most distinguished alumni, Kalpana Chawla. The institute paid tribute to the trailblazing astronaut who graduated from the Aerospace Engineering Department of PEC in 1982 and went on to become the first Indian-Origin woman in space in 2003.
Tragically, she lost her life when the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated upon re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere.Deputy Director of the Institute, Prof. Siby John; Registrar Col. (Veteran) R. M. Joshi; Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. D. R. Prajapati; Dean Faculty Affairs, Dr. Vasundhara Singh; Prof. Rakesh Kumar, Head Aerospace Engineering Department; Prof. Rajesh Kanda, Head Alumni and Corporate Relations; and Prof. Jimmy Karloopia, along with the entire faculty, gathered to pay their respects to the late alumna.
Head of Alumni & Corporate Relations, Dr. Rajesh Kanda, shared the academic and life journey of Dr. Kalpana Chawla, emphasizing her enduring impact on the fields of engineering, aerospace, and dreams.
Prof. Siby John, Deputy Director, reflected on Dr. Chawla’s pioneering role as a woman of substance well before the widespread use of the term “Nari Shakti.” He expressed heartfelt sentiments, stating that she will always hold a special place in their hearts. Additionally, he paid homage to centenarian PEC alumnus Late S. Bikram Singh Grewal, who passed away on January 31, 2024.
Head of the Aerospace Engineering Department, Prof. Rakesh Kumar, provided insights into Dr. Chawla’s life from 1962 to 2003. He highlighted her exceptional imaginative skills, noting that she had named herself ‘Kalpana,’ signifying her remarkable ability to dream big.
Prof. S. C. Sharma, former HOD of Aerospace Engineering Department during Dr. Kalpana Chawla’s time at PEC, reminisced about her confident entry into the campus. He shared anecdotes from her student years, recalling her distinct presence marked by a red-colored cycle and her status as a black belt holder.
Prof. Sharma shared personal nuances of Dr. Chawla’s life, shedding light on aspects unknown to many. He emotionally stated, “Whenever I look at her photo, every memory of her flashes back before my eyes.” In conclusion, everyone present paid their heartfelt tributes to Dr. Kalpana Chawla and S. Bikram Singh Grewal, mourning their loss with heavy hearts.