Published By: Sayan Paul

Kalpana Chawla’s Death Anniversary: How JRD Tata Inspired Her To Become An Astronaut

Even after two decades since her demise - Kalpana Chawla remains an inspiring figure for everyone who dreams big. But do you know who inspired her? 

Kalpana Chawla was the first woman of Indian origin to fly into space. And when one achieves something so big, it doesn't remain just a personal achievement. It becomes an example and inspires countless individuals who dream big and out-of-the-box. With that feat, Chawla set an example that women - just like men - are also capable of touching the sky (Aamir Khan from 'Dangal' would have said here, "Maari Chhoriya Chhoro Se Kam Hai Ke?"). Her legacy - right from her childhood in a Haryana village to making history as an astronaut - lives on even today, inspiring women to fight the societal chains for their dreams.

Every inspiration itself needs an inspiration. Kalpana Chawla was inspired by JRD Tata, who is remembered as the "Father of Indian Aviation". How? Well, as we observe Chawla's death anniversary today, let's learn that in this article.

How JRD Tata Inspired Kalpana Chawla To Become An Astronaut

Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata, popularly known as JRD Tata, was the first Indian to pass out with 'No. 1' on his flying license. And thus, he became an inspiration for millions of Indians, including Kalpana Chawla.

(Credit: Tata Group)

Chawla mentioned in several of her interviews how she had been influenced by Tata's legacy to take up aeronautics as a career. As she told reporters, "What JRD Tata had done during those years was very intriguing and definitely captivated my imagination."

She Carried A Photograph Of JRD Tata On Her Mission

Yes, Chawla carried a photograph of JRD Tata (with his inaugural flight) along with her on her first space mission. NASA later released a statement, saying the photograph had been "in space with Chawla for 15 days, 16 hours, 35 minutes, and one second".

Notably, soon after Chawla died in 2003, her family wrote to Ratan Tata, the then Chairman of the Tata Group, with memorabilia. The box contained a crew-autographed group picture of the Space Shuttle Mission STS-87 (her first Space Shuttle Mission), a couple of medallions commemorating her space journeys, and a black and white photograph of JRD Tata which she had carried along with her on her space mission.

(Credit: Aditya Kondawar)

The photo is now displayed in the Tata Central Archives (TCA) in Pune, outside the re-created office of JRD Tata. There's also a photograph of Kalpana Chawla on the opposite wall, below which is a photograph of J.R.D. Tata.

JRD Tata - The Father of Indian Aviation

Just like Kalpana Chawla was inspired by JRD Tata, the latter himself was inspired by Louis Blériot (aviation pioneer - the first man to fly across the English Channel). He soon took to flying and obtained the first license issued in India. Thus, he came to be known as the "Father of Indian civil aviation".

(Credit: Dhruva Jaishankar)

He founded India's first commercial airline, Tata Airlines in 1932, which became Air India in 1946, and is now India's national airline.

(Credit: Airports Authority of India)

Kalpana Chawla was one of the seven crew members who died in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster on February 1, 2003. She was posthumously awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor, the NASA Space Flight Medal, and the NASA Distinguished Service Medal