Punjab Engineering College (Deemed to be University) honored its distinguished alumna, Kalpana Chawla, on the 21st anniversary of her tragic passing aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia. Chawla, who graduated from PEC's Aerospace Engineering department in 1982, became the first Indian-origin woman in space in 2003.
A solemn ceremony saw esteemed faculty gather to pay respects, including Deputy Director Prof. Siby John, Registrar Col. (Veteran) R. M. Joshi, Dean of Student Affairs Dr. D. R. Prajapati, and Head of Aerospace Engineering Prof. Rakesh Kumar.
Head of Alumni & Corporate Relations, Dr. Rajesh Kanda, recounted Chawla's remarkable journey, emphasizing her lasting impact on engineering, aerospace, and the spirit of dreaming big. Prof. John lauded her pioneering spirit as a "Nari Shakti" well ahead of its time, acknowledging her permanent place in the institution's history. He also paid homage to fellow PEC alumnus, Late S. Bikram Singh Grewal, who passed away recently.
Prof. Kumar delved into Chawla's life, highlighting her exceptional imagination, evident in her self-chosen name "Kalpana," meaning "imagination." Prof. S. C. Sharma, Chawla's former HOD, shared insightful anecdotes from her student years, painting a vivid picture of her confidence, marked by her red cycle and black belt prowess.
He offered personal glimpses into her life, concluding emotionally, "Every time I see her photo, memories flood back."The ceremony concluded with heartfelt tributes to both Chawla and Grewal, their legacies etched in the hearts of the PEC community.