When I read Sriram’s latest post I was reminded of this. Last week when I was watching KBC, there was a question on name of some space research station in India! I was aghast to know that one space station in India is named after Kalpana Chawla!
See my point is simple. Dont we have enough Indians who have given their life and blood for Indian space research? What has Kalpana Chawla done for India or Indian Space Research, to name a prestigious institution after her? Why not after Rakesh Sharma? The first indian to be on space? Remember she was working for the space research of a country that imposed sanctions on India, for conducting nuclear tests!!!
True, what she did is something great and it is a wonderful achievement. But so has Neil Armstrong and many other astronauts. Or on the same Colombia which met with an accident, there were some other scientists! Why not keep their name?
81 Responses to “Kalpana Chawala”
on 30 Aug 2005 at 8:07 pm # Ganesh
good point there prabhu.
this hasnt changed a bit.
But dont you know Indians suffer from sever Macculay syndrome.Vellaikaran edhusonnallum correct namma oorukaran sonna
‘ama evuru periya ‘dorai’nnu nainuppunnu solluvanga.
hopefully new gen x will be much more confident and doesnt look up west everytime for appreciation and accpetance.
on 30 Aug 2005 at 8:16 pm # Ravi
Kalpana Chawla is definitely not Vikram Sarabhai or Kasturi Rangan in Indian Space research program. But one thing i want to point out is, the number of young minds she has ignited about space programs.
on 30 Aug 2005 at 8:19 pm # F e r r a r i
Ganesh,
After all our countries destiny is in the hand of an italian, who refused to become an Indian Citizen!!!
Ravi,
Using the same logic, how many people have been inspired by people like Bill Gates, Albert Einstein etc.
This IIIT Bangalore. Imagine if it is named after Bill Gates. Will everyone agree?
on 30 Aug 2005 at 8:20 pm # B a l a j i
sariyaa sonneenga. idha sonna naama edho pengala(women) madhikkalai-nu solvaanga.
Kalpana was a great astronaut. No doubt abt that. But how can India claim the credit even after she became an American citizen. Avanga edho namma ISRO rocket-la space-ku poyirundhaa perumai padalaam.
on 30 Aug 2005 at 8:33 pm # Ravi
Not all. But what if it produces 10 such Bill Gates amongst us.
I dont have any rights to talk about this, coz ennado brain’a kondu poyi oru american company’la adamanam vechi eruken.
I dream of a day when a firangi drives a cab in India, stand up in Q’s outside Indian embassies all round the world.
on 30 Aug 2005 at 9:08 pm # vijay
Well, I agree with ur point, but its not that simple. In a country like ours where hopes and expectations can fade pretty fast, people are always looking for inspiration, and thats it.
For that matter except CV Raman, every accomplished scientist in India has had relations to western countries
on 30 Aug 2005 at 9:17 pm # F e r r a r i
Ravi,
Its not that easy buddy. Everyone will raise a hue and cry for it!
vijay,
True. We need the support of western countries. And many scientists have done the same! But still they contributed something for India!
on 31 Aug 2005 at 1:47 am # Phoenix
I dont see why they should not name it that way…It doesnt matter how you choose to identify a person (Indian/American/whatever..).. what matters is to name something that is befitting and something inspires the purpose….
If we go by your same logic of this “Indianism” in naming you should be calling yourself “Ambassador” instead of “Ferrari” …
on 31 Aug 2005 at 2:03 am # Sriram
WTF??? A space station after her? this is the peak of insanity!!!
on 31 Aug 2005 at 5:09 am # Krithika
Four streets in Durgapur are named after the Apollo 11 fellas. SO, shoot, next post on how ridiculously, humongously, terribly insane it is to give credit to some stupid person who landed on the moon. What does it matter if they name a space station after a great astronaut who lost her life while returning from a space mission? Deep Purple brand dedicated an album to her. It’s just showing respect for a human being who went above the rest. Country doesn’t matter here. Ridiculing the idea is typical Dr.Ramadoss style
on 31 Aug 2005 at 8:11 am # F e r r a r i
Phoenix,
Was that supposed to be funny? Comparing my nick name with this topic? Sorry dude!
Krithika,
4 streets in Durgapur is equivalent to a space station? A space station is of national pride. Imagine if Shivnarine Chanderpaul had been given arjuna award or rajiv gandhi khel ratna award, will all of you agree?
And take example of Sania Mirza. Tell me isnt she inspiring more Indians than what Martina Hingis inspired or Serena Williams inspired?
If the Indian government had honored Rakesh Sharma and other space research people then there is no problem. Why this preferential treatment?
Tell me. Kalpana is an inspiration for what? Joining NASA and fly on space right?
For that, an Indian space station should be named after american?
What does it signal? If you are Indian and do something here, we wont recognize you. But if you goto greener pastures, and provce yourself there then we will raise a toast for you. Correct?
on 31 Aug 2005 at 8:13 am # F e r r a r i
Sriram,
Enna panradhu
on 31 Aug 2005 at 8:54 am # nithya
Claiming credit where its absolutely undeserving is an art that the Indians have mastered like no one else… Kalpana Chawla is of Indian origin… So what?! Is there anything to feel proud about? Onnume illa… Indian origin ppl edhavadhu saadhicha, ennamo every Indian saadhicha madiri oru vetti perumai…
the ace golfer Vijay Singh, avanoda kollu thaatha’s ellu thatha wudv been in India… udane when he reached world #1 in golf, the newspapers scream “Indian is worlds #1 golfer”! Enna ezhavu idhu?! In a country of 1+ billion ppl, you dont have a good golfer, so u claim someone else as ur own!
As Krithika says, I have nothing against naming a space station after her… What irritates me to no end is going on talking about someone else’s achievements as ur own… She was definitely more American than Indian.. and she died, along with 6 other space scientists… So? what did the US do? They dint spend million years singing praises about these ppl… Instead, they jus got out of it and started working on the next space shuttle… Namakku andha attitude kedayadhu…
Thank God we have a cricket team… If we dint play cricket, we would be singing praises about Chanderpaul, Nasser Hussain… and all the Pakistani players…. after all, their great grandfathers were once upon in India!!!
on 31 Aug 2005 at 9:25 am # Maverick
Naming an Indian space station? I would have preferred a Kasturi Rangan, Vikram Sarabhai, Rakesh Sharma (he achieved what Kalpana achieved long long back through ISRO), Abdul Kalam (why not?) !!!
on 31 Aug 2005 at 9:47 am # prabhakar
On a techie note, science transcends boundaries.
On a Indian note, yes our home grown genius has to be appreciated. It has always been our mentality. We don’t realise our potential untill some white skineed b*** awards us for our genius.
on 31 Aug 2005 at 10:11 am # Sebastian
Guys all of us want to despise the west, but then why do we wear Reeboks and Nikes Try Bata
Why do we prepare for GRE and TOFEL rather than our final year exam.
Want to hate the west hate in totality not in parts.
on 31 Aug 2005 at 10:15 am # Sebastian
Prabhu about the naming of the Space Station don’t worry in a Decade or so we will have some politician who will want to name the space station in memory his dead grandmother. And it will join the list of renamed places
Bombay -> Mumbai
Madras -> Chenai
VT -> CST (they could not find a translation for Terminus)
BTW where is this space station
on 31 Aug 2005 at 10:22 am # F e r r a r i
Nithya,
Bulls Eye
Maverick,
Why not? Adhe dhaan naanum kaekkaren
prabhakar,
Tell me this. If Kalpana had been a pakistani, would you still say science transcends boundaries?
Sebastian,
You got it completely wrong mate! Am not a communist saying no to western things. Am saying give respect to Indians. And then to others!!
And I dont find anything wrong in VT being renamed as CST? I think we are long beyind the colonial rule to still have names christened by the britishers!
And FYI, the space station is in your gods own country!
on 31 Aug 2005 at 10:53 am # Srini
ferrari,
I really appreciate for your thinking…
What I think seriously is that we can keep
the name of you since what we need at this
moment is people with self-respect…
enna sollareenga…
on 31 Aug 2005 at 10:58 am # F e r r a r i
Srini,
ROTFL
on 31 Aug 2005 at 11:15 am # Jacky
I know you’re a fair guy, it is just an overdose of Vijayakanth movies (forced patriotism) that has spoiled you.
on 31 Aug 2005 at 11:24 am # F e r r a r i
Jacky,
Edha pathi ezhudhinalum, Captain kooda linkareenga. Nalladhukku illai. Solliputten aama
on 31 Aug 2005 at 11:31 am # Jacky
A kalpana Chawla space center sounds much better than Indira Gandhi University or Ramachandra Medical College. Credentials and achievements are more important than Nationality. I don’t know why they ignored Rakesh Sharma but does that mean you should ignore Kalpana?
on 31 Aug 2005 at 11:34 am # F e r r a r i
Exactly my point. I am irked that indians are being ignored! I would be irritated if the space station is named after JJ or Rajiv Gandhi or Dayanidhi Maran as well!
on 31 Aug 2005 at 11:50 am # Jacky
Do you think there’ll be an end such questions? Why Bombay’s terminals are named Santa cruz and Shahar? They could have very well named it JRD.Tata terminal – The first Indian to fly a plane!
In this case, I don’t see KC as an undeserving candidate.
on 31 Aug 2005 at 11:57 am # F e r r a r i
Point noted!
But lets not continue the same mistake time and again. Right?
My only concern is that Indian scientists are being ignored!!
on 31 Aug 2005 at 12:20 pm # Phoenix
Hey Prabhu
Nope man, my comment was not meant to be funny…Just because you talked about Indianism I felt that your blog name doesnt reflect fully your intentions..and I felt that the concern in this post is superficial.
No hard feelings it is just my opinion.
on 31 Aug 2005 at 12:25 pm # F e r r a r i
Phoenix,
How can you compare my blog and my nick to a space station? They are not even remotely connected. And FYI I dont need to prove my Indianness to you or any other individual!
It doesnt matter to me!
If you consider this post as superficial, it is your problem and not mine, dude
on 31 Aug 2005 at 12:26 pm # Sudha Narayanan
Seriously… ur views are a reflection of mine…! Same case with Amartya Sen winning a nobel prize for economics and the whole country feeling so proud about it, when hez spent the major part of his lifein the UK…
on 31 Aug 2005 at 12:48 pm # Phoenix
Chill out dude…
Sure, nobody needs to prove anything to anybody…it is just what I felt about this whole thing !
Finally to answer you
“How can you compare my blog and my nick to a space station”
Naming something “Indian”
on 31 Aug 2005 at 12:51 pm # F e r r a r i
Phoenix,
Have you read my About section? http://prabhukrish.net/about
And Prabhu is something Indian
No?
on 31 Aug 2005 at 12:52 pm # F e r r a r i
Sudha,
Nithya sonna madhiri, we hail victories thats not ours
on 31 Aug 2005 at 2:32 pm # Jacky
Why is it not our victory? For one billion people in 50 years we only have a few IITs and IIMs. And a few organizations like ISRO. Blame the politicians who spend filthy for unnecessary purposes not a Amartya Sen or Sabir Bhatia or Vinod Dhamn or Kalpana Chawla who could find a way to get into elite schools in the west. If our politicians had some vision we could’ve had more world class research institutions with bigger grants. Give them such facilities and then we can debate if they are patriotic or not. Whether they remain Indian or not!
on 31 Aug 2005 at 2:40 pm # F e r r a r i
Jacky,
Abdul Kalam studied here only. Viswanathan Anand learnt chess from his mother. Kamalhassan learnt acting in India only. Ilayaraja and AR Rehman learnt music here only. Sir CV Raman namma local school la dhaan padichaar.
Narayanamurthy padichadhu ellam inga dhaan. Pune la oru chinna veetula start aanadhu dhaan infosys. JRD Tata started from scratch!
Manam irundhaal maargam uNdu. Ok. Ivlo solreengale. That Kalpana and others went to wild wild west because they got the facilities there. In return what did they do sir?
How long was Kalpana in NASA? Did she start a school or sponsor some kids from her town/village?
Adhe nerathula look at Vijay Amritraj! Though he is an american, he started this BAT (Brittania Amritraj Trust) for tennis players here? Isnt it something good?
What have the above mentioned people done for India or Indian society so that we can cherish them and raise a toast for ever?
Politicians are bad. True! But there are so many things that can be done as an individual!
When they dont do any such thing, there is no difference for me between Kalpana chawla, Yuri Gagarin or Neil Armstrong!
on 31 Aug 2005 at 3:23 pm # Jacky
Dr.Kalam is an exception. He is not married so he doesn’t have to worry about supporting his wife and kids or give them some quality living.
Vishy Anand is settled in Spain. Few months back on NDTV-night out he said he can fluently speak Spanish and his wife is not too far behind.
Kamal Hassan started out here but some of his movies are direct inspirations from the West also his presentation techniques eg: Virumandi. Besides Kamal has taken acting classes in Canada or USA sometime back. You can Google for the facts.
Ilayaraja and AR.Rahman again both stated out here but went to Trinity College UK to get their degrees in WCM.
We don’t know what Kalapana Chawla would’ve done for India, after all she was hardly in her 30’s. Even if she doesn’t do anything her achievements in relevant field can garner her accolades. Can we not have an eye just for technical excellence? I can understand if a Charitable Trust is named after Chawla when she has done nothing but …
on 31 Aug 2005 at 3:26 pm # F e r r a r i
Jacky,
Sir! Kalpana Chawla perla enna venumnaalum pannikonga. But dont ignore Rakesh Sharma and Vikram Sarabhai. Avlo dhaan matter!
on 31 Aug 2005 at 3:36 pm # Jacky
You might have to send an email to Kapil Sibal. I think he’s the Tsunami/Science minister!
on 31 Aug 2005 at 3:47 pm # Sebastian
we have one called
Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Trivandrum
http://www.isro.org/centers/cen_vssc.htm
Satish Dhawan Space Centre, SHAR in chennai
http://www.isro.org/isro_centres.htm
I cannot find a KC
on 31 Aug 2005 at 3:50 pm # F e r r a r i
Jacky,
First it will goto Sonia
Sebastian,
I will fish out the links and get it for you. Its a new one. Last friday in KBC there was a question on this. I am not able to recall the entire name of the station. Will get it for you.
on 31 Aug 2005 at 4:01 pm # Jacky
http://www.isro.org/pressrelease/Feb06_2003.htm
on 31 Aug 2005 at 4:03 pm # F e r r a r i
There you go. Thanks Jacky
on 31 Aug 2005 at 4:03 pm # Sebastian
I googled and got this info
The Prime Minister of India, Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee, annouced during the condolence meeting held for Dr Kalpana Chawla at Parliament Annexe, New Delhi, yesterday (February 5, 2003) that India’s meteorological series of satellites, METSAT, will be named as KALPANA.
The first of the series, METSAT-1, launched by India’s PSLV on September 12, 2002 by India’s PSLV, will be now known as KALPANA-1.
on 31 Aug 2005 at 4:04 pm # Jacky
Well that’s my bit for disagreeing with you so long.
on 31 Aug 2005 at 4:08 pm # Sebastian
When you said Gods Own country i got confused I was looking for an ISRO center by the name KC. Its a satellite by the name KC
on 31 Aug 2005 at 7:20 pm # Neha
Ferrari….enna sollanae therila….very true and equally sad…but is there nothing that would change this situation?
on 31 Aug 2005 at 7:53 pm # Raman
namma oorlaey irukkira kodikkanakkana janagalai vittu, oru sonia gandhi namma congress thalaivi (enna anbu annai sonia)
aaganumna, idhuvum nadakkum innamum nadakkum
adhey madhiri thaan idhu
on 31 Aug 2005 at 7:56 pm # Ganesh
There are some true patriotic scientist who when given the opptn. of making it big in USA or elsewhere decided stay back. My salutes to them.
yet another software guy patthodu pathinnonu. Being in foreign country doesnt mean you cut off your roots.
BTW I am in US
Most of desi guys/gals who made it big, do giveback something to India.
In India politicians and their might rule everything, science,values those things take back seat.
I dont know how many people will remember Dr.Narayanan Nambi’s story. This happened in the very ‘Gods Own Country’ a national shame, but finally justice prevailed.
Anyway Ferrari your intention is very good and you have valid point. You dont need to feel bad about anything.
on 31 Aug 2005 at 8:34 pm # Jagan Pathra
Agreed.Why do you need to name things after an american.There are lots of Indians who arent given any credits for what they hav achieved.
on 31 Aug 2005 at 10:11 pm # vatsan
late a vandutten, allan oru unmai a solleran
“idu ellam aarisiyalil sagajam appa”
and naming the spact station is aarisial
on 31 Aug 2005 at 10:37 pm # R.Paurnakrishna
I agree with u dude.We always seem infatuated with people who may not have done anything for our country.Another such instance was when Bobby Jindal got elected the entire media went into a overdrive and for a minute i forgot that this guy wasn’t even born in India.Well what can I say we Indians are like this
on 01 Sep 2005 at 4:38 am # *
Ferrari,
your pidivadham is just like Ramdas. (And the comparison is logical :))
It is not the name of the insti but the work done that matters. I know enough people in HAL(ya ya, H stands for Hindustan!) who just visit the co, order coffee, read papers and leave. These are bosses in their 50s.
I know enough IIT-ians who have tried hard to get into ISRO/HAL type orgns, did some intern there, and came out saying it’s a junk place with too much bureaucracy.
Kalpana may be utterly meaningless to you, but as a non-IIT, Punjab Engg College grad who came to US and made the world sit up and take notice, she is definitely an inspiration to small-town Indians abroad. What seems ridiculous to you will seem different to others.
on 01 Sep 2005 at 4:41 am # *
And BTW, dont think all returning NRIs are saints. 90% of them return to India for 2 selfish reasons:
1. With the crores they earned, cost of living in India is peanuts
2. Their son/daughter won’t sleep around
on 01 Sep 2005 at 7:40 am # F e r r a r i
Sebastian,
I stand corrected
Replace space station with METSAT
Jacky,
Neha,
Self Respect is not a thing that can be changed
Raman,
And when she said she wont be the PM, udane some people tried to commit suicide and all. Kodumai
Ganesh,
Thanks mate
Jagan,
Naan ivlo nerama solla vandadhe, rende lines la solliteenga
on 01 Sep 2005 at 7:41 am # F e r r a r i
vatsan,
Paurnakrishna,
If we catch hold of this media guys first, and ask them to shut up then things will become better
on 01 Sep 2005 at 7:51 am # F e r r a r i
*,
Please dont generalise about ISRO or HAL. I know so many people working there, who take so much pride in their and are more commited than anyone else.
Its ok if you dont respect ISRO or any indian institution. But dont ridicule them by generalising with some exceptions!
And one more thing. My post has nothing to do with NRIs. Its about a government ignoring its sons and daughters, whilst honoring someone else! Thats it.
Ooran veetu pilaya ooti valarunga. Thappu illai. Sondha piLLaya etti udhaikaadheenga!
on 01 Sep 2005 at 10:16 am # vettees
Ferrari,
A good discussion,konjam deviate agarathu .Onga Intentions well taken.
*,
I live in the USA and I am returning to India not with crores but to be with my husband’s siblings and my parents.So please donot generalise it.And by the way cost of living in India is not peanuts here.Its lots.Ask the guys in Bangalore.
on 01 Sep 2005 at 12:31 pm # sathya
Ooran veetu pilaya ooti valarunga -
kalpana is not ooran veetu pillai.. namma veetu pillai nammala vittu poi US la scientist aana neenga atha ooran veetu pillainu solluveengala? mattenagathane?
iam not talking for or against ur opinion in the post.. its just about NRIs.. they are people who feel deeply for cauvery water more than missippi hurricane..
after all they are non resident INDIANS
on 01 Sep 2005 at 12:33 pm # sathya
@ sebastian
TRY BATA? bata is not an indian brand
on 01 Sep 2005 at 12:36 pm # F e r r a r i
vettees,
Enna panradhu
sathya,
Nalla comedy aa pesareenga. Namma pullai, enakku indha veedu vendaam. Pudhu veetuku poren. Indha appa amma enakku vendaam. Panakaara appa amma dhaan venum. Pazhaya veetula edhuvume seri illai. Ellarume waste. Pudhu veedu dhaan best appadinu odi pogum
But appadi irundhalum appa amma vandhu andha puLLaya dhaan madhikanum, thalaila vachi kondadanum. Koodave irukkara piLLainga ellam loosunga. pozhaikka theriyadha casunga
Correct dhaane Sathya?
on 01 Sep 2005 at 12:46 pm # sathya
as jacky said
“We don’t know what Kalapana Chawla would’ve done for India, after all she was hardly in her 30’s”
we dont know whether she went there thinking “Indha appa amma enakku vendaam. Panakaara appa amma dhaan venum. Pazhaya veetula edhuvume seri illai. Ellarume waste. Pudhu veedu dhaan best”
again iam not arguing against your original post.. NRIs (most of them) look back at India with a fond affection.. if anand goes and stays in spain to practise does it mean he hate chennai? its their career demands and individual pursuits..
even god waits till poeple die to pass judgement.. and here we r talking bout other people when we dont even know them personally or dont have a clue bout their feelings
on 01 Sep 2005 at 1:01 pm # sathya
again its not my intention to conffront u.. all iam saying is there are many NRIs reading this blog. and lets not hurt their feelings by our strong arguements for or against this entry
on 01 Sep 2005 at 1:05 pm # F e r r a r i
Sathya,
My post is about indian government overlooking its own citizens when it comes to recognition.
This has nothing to do with NRI’s or what they are feeling. I dont have anything against the NRI’s.
So dont get confused!!
on 01 Sep 2005 at 1:54 pm # Nandu
Hmmm…sad to know about this…There are so many indians who have achieved great heights for our country but all their efforts go in in vain and they are’nt recognised at all
on 01 Sep 2005 at 4:40 pm # Gp
Definitly DONT agree with you. Dont want to argue about it. Ill just presume your in a fugue state.
May her soul rest in peace. I’ll dedicate my space dreams to Kalpana Chawla anytime.
on 01 Sep 2005 at 5:34 pm # Maverick
Unnoda Google ads la Space effect theriyudhu
on 01 Sep 2005 at 9:47 pm # Praveen
I completely agree with u and I even picked up a major telephonic arguement abt this with u know who
Examples quoted here about the existing names are well taken. But there is absolutely no necessity that we should continue the practice just because it was done in the past. Appolo11, Mumbai Airport…so be it!! Nadanthu poachu! (Oru Ramadas irundha idhellam maaridum andha oorla! ;))
One thing which people need to understand that what is being said here is not to belittle Kalpana Chawla or her achievements. She deserves all the nice words, completely agree. But when there are people around who manage to live in the same country and reach similar heights, credit definitely needs to be given to them. I realise that is your point and completely agree with it. We definitely have people in our own country who deserve credit. It is unfortunate that the topic diverted towards NRIs patriotism.
It is not a question of nationality, people might say. I would agree with them if we had no other alternative. We do have great names within the country, so a KC satellite atleast at this point is unjustifiable IMHO.
There are others who might feel that this is a trivial issue to be discussed (like my opponent on the phone felt!) when there are other glowing issues to be handled regarding basic amenities…my answer…lotsa other important problems irukku-ngarthukkaga trivial issues-la thappu senjuttae poga mudiyuma? Besides this is not as trivial as it seems. It is a matter of national pride. I would just be happy if it goes to somebody who has sweated it staying in India.
Just an afterthought…might sound farfetched but just a flash….This decision of the govt MIGHT infact give an illusion to the youngsters that people need to go abroad to achieve. This is the last things required when we are talking about a develeoped India 2020! We need to encourage our own people to stay here and create opportunities if have those visions.
on 01 Sep 2005 at 9:52 pm # F e r r a r i
Praveen,
Excellent!!! Brilliant reply buddy
I was bit upset that this topic got drifted towrds NRI
But am happy now, its back on track 
Idhukaagave I will get you a Ferrero Rocher chocolate box (Now people will come behind me saying, foreign chocolate mattum ok va appadinu)
on 01 Sep 2005 at 10:26 pm # Praveen
Ferrari,
… magix-a vida enakku one dabba extra … national pride-kaaga illa en pride-kaaga 
Idhu maadhiri neraya pesaraen, neraya dabba kodunga
on 01 Sep 2005 at 11:38 pm # *
Going by your brilliant logic, the people habiting Bangalore MG Road are all Gandhianvaadhis with Gandhian lifestyle.
BTW, I showed your blog to an IIT-ian and he commented, “Its only we useless Indians who fight and kill over the usage or non-usage of something as petty and meaningless as a name. Ask them to discuss ways of improvement and people will immediately clam up!”
on 02 Sep 2005 at 7:40 am # F e r r a r i
Praveen,
Sure
*,
1. One last and final time, I would like to say that my anger is towards Indian govt, not recognizing indians. Thats it
2.It is my blog and my own personal space. I write what I feel and whenever I feel. So if someone else considers it as waste of time, it is their problem and not mine! Let it be an IIT ian or whoever it is. I dont care!
3. If you want to generalise about every Indian, then extremely sorry! It is your assumption and I have no plans of explaining for silly assumptions and generalizations!
on 02 Sep 2005 at 9:52 am # Cacaphonix
What is KC’s extradinary achievement that is not achieved by other astronauts?
I guess in this aspect the US is more matured than us, they did not deify their dead astronauts including KC.
But this point aside, KC has achieved something(may not be as extradinary as it is potrayed) there is some share in that for India to feel proud off, but singing paeans are too much.
At the same time, same argument applies to Sania Mirza, she cannot be left out just because she has not left India.
So why KC, Sania are glorified when there can be better persons than these? Simple, for inspiration, especially youngsters. Lot of people have known about Sania mirza just because she had advanced a couple of rounds in international grand slam. But a ramanathan krishnan was and is not known that he was a quarter-finalist of wimbeldon. To inspire a greater population you have to pick something that they can relate to easily. So people pick sania mirza and KC.
But over-glorification like announcing scientific awards, satelite names etc are too much.
on 02 Sep 2005 at 9:57 am # Cacaphonix
Ofcourse my friend Cadbury’s~Priyan will cite different reason for why Sania is known more than Ramanathan krishnan. That point is definitely well taken.
As Melvin durai, a humour columnist has written in his article about Anna Kournikova something like:
‘When Anna plays people dont care whom she plays against, Serena Williams or Robin Williams’.
on 02 Sep 2005 at 10:24 am # Maverick
Now, that you started about US Open, here is a mouthwatering (for diff reasons) clash coming up if both Sania and Sharapova win their respective 3rd round matches.
Sania Mirza vs Maria Sharapova
The lensmen would have their day !!!
on 02 Sep 2005 at 5:03 pm # maduraiarian
Totally agree with what you have to say abt that..I dont even understand what the indian government got by giving a space station her name..Started wondering if there was any ulterior motive behind it…Im sure, even with a “Vellaikaran is right attitude”..ingrained, we do something only which finally benefits us..particularly the politicians..Wondering is somebdoy had something tangible he obtained??
on 02 Sep 2005 at 7:55 pm # Insidemamind
Oooooh! So you are a KBC fan too, huh?
Well when I saw this question on KBC, I thought the answer would be Rakesh Sharma.. I was shocked too when the answer turned out to be Kalpana Chawla :-S >
But I do feel that it is alright if METSAT has been named after her. And you have got to realise that it should be a matter of pride for us, as Indians! So let us stop arguing over this topic and accept the fact that she has been glorified so gracefully after her death!
on 02 Sep 2005 at 10:23 pm # *
ok dude, no hard feelings
on 03 Sep 2005 at 12:49 am # Jacky
There was some hue and cry about Kasthuri Rangan being ignored. When I Googled, I found he has a Padmashri, Padma Bhushan and a Padma Vibushan – I think it’s 2nd biggest award after Bharat Ratna. I don’t think naming a space station or naming a satellite is the ONLY WAY to show respect!
on 03 Sep 2005 at 6:28 am # Raman
When Kalpana took an oath owing allegiance to the US flag and nation, she gave up her Indian citizenship — she was career minded and non-US citizens are not allowed in sensitive areas like NASA — Kalpana was very clear in her thoughts and she went after her choice — and so did quite a few others e.g. judge dalipsingh saund, hargobind, prof. chandrasekhar, bala et al.
NRIs as the name indicates STILL hold on to their Indian citizenship — they cannot be blamed at all as they are there in the US to work and earn!!
But we here like everything phoren - perfumes, cosmetics, cigarettes, liquor, accents (have you heard some of these nri/pio talk?) - and we always have a special craze, for adopting people of indian origin, even when they have deserted us.
And the Politicians will vie with each other in this art ..
on 21 Nov 2005 at 2:23 am # dr sankalp
I dont agree with what you said.
I think kalpana chawala has done what even rakesh sharma is not done for india that is to give indian gals and guys as well confidence to follow there dream.
Science does not look barrier.
Rakesh Sharma went to space because of default there were hundred others who could have gone like him as it was government excercise with own money anyway.
Kalpana chawala reached where she reached on her own merit .She is selected to space flight for her expertise not for one holiday in space and comeback doing nothing in space.
The difference is as good between the surgeon and compounder in operation theater.
c ya
sankalp
http://www.docsankalp.blogspot.com
on 29 May 2006 at 11:07 am # daryl
Nice site. Thank to work…
on 26 Jul 2006 at 2:47 pm # vinit
no doubt about achivements of great kalpana chawala, but we r still proud of our first man in space Mr. rakesh sharma.