The little dynamite!

It’s been a decade since that dreadful tragedy. All eyes were glued to the landing of that ill fated (which saw many technical hiccups before too!) Columbia Space shuttle. Everyone was ready with wide arms, pride, euphoria, just ready to celebrate and congratulate and suddenly the moments were shattered. Just within few minutes all eyes were hoping that they will be safe, they will just smile, wave a hand and exclaim that they are alive but alas, it was destined to be an all together different story. The epic saga suddenly crashed few moments before reaching the final jubilation! They crashed to the same ground from where they rose, in where they dreamed.

Among those seven astronauts was one little blue girl, a little dynamite, a power, the first woman in space of the most ambitious developing nation- India! Yes, Kalpana Chawla! She was indeed the representation of the grand dreams of the motivated country, inspiring the future astronauts, the shy girls and the ambitious kids to dream big and make them into reality! She was an inspirational source who gave everyone a reason to live, to strive and to think beyond the oblivion.

It feels great to be a part of the Institution where she studied, where she dreamed, where she lived. It is one of the few moments which you cannot explain when you think that she must have walked the same grounds, must have attended her classes in the very same place, a few years ago. A visit to her memorial instigates patriotism, valour, intimidation at the same time. You feel like she is watching over and advising everyone to fulfil their bigger picture. Did she ever think that she will become such an encouragement? What must have been her feelings when she first landed on this soil for her studies? Was she scared too? Did she ever think that she will achieve such a milestone? What was going through her mind in her last moments? So many questions with no answers!

It would have been huge to share the space with her, here at her Alma matter. Her death changed everything! She showed that true intelligence is respected irrespective of your caste, your identity, your place of birth! Coming this far, getting the same recognition as other US counterparts, is something extraordinary. But the sad part is, she is known more by her death, more as the astronaut who died in a shuttle crash rather than an ambitious lady who lived her dream! Come on! She is the first Indian lady and second Indian after Rakesh Sharma in the space! She is more than a mere astronaut! No doubt you get spellbound when you read about her. She is something more! She is that shining star, that shining jewel silently triggering the young dynamites waiting for their eulogy!