By subscribing to Inspiring Quotes you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
“Kalpana” is a Hindi word that translates to “imagination,” and in 1997, Dr. Kalpana Chawla (1961-2003) became the first Indian-born woman in space. The astronaut's passion for the skies emerged early in life, when she would bike after planes taking off from a local military school. In her youth, she also visited the airplane flown by J.R.D. Tata, the founder of India’s first airline; she later brought Tata’s photograph on the first of her two NASA missions. Chawla was among seven astronauts who lost their lives aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia when the spacecraft broke apart upon reentering Earth’s atmosphere in 2003. This quote comes from an email Chawla sent to students at her alma mater, Punjab Engineering College, as she completed her final orbits. The barrier-breaking astronaut knew firsthand that you can achieve anything you can visualize.
The True Meaning of Beauty, in 14 Quotes
Quotes To Help You Mourn and Move Forward From a Relationship
Quotes To Help You Stay Young and Spry Forever
Life-Affirming Quotes About Human Connection
Wise and Insightful Quotes From People Born in December
12 Quotes on What Makes a Society Strong
Quotes About How To Be Productive in a Healthy Way
13 Quotes To Help You Move On From Past Loves
Start Anew With These 15 Encouraging Quotes
12 Brief Quotes From Notoriously Long Books
13 Quotes About the Magic of Winter