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Astronaut Chawla`s ornithological wish comes to light
New York, Nov 03: Indian-American astronaut Kalpana Chawla, whodied along with other US astronauts in the Columbia shuttle disasterearlier this year, had donated USD 300,000 to the NationalAudubon Society.
New York, Nov 03: Indian-American astronaut Kalpana Chawla, who
died along with other US astronauts in the Columbia shuttle disaster
earlier this year, had donated USD 300,000 to the National
Audubon Society.
The Society hopes to work with its international conservation
partners, including the Royal Society for the protection of birds.
The Bombay Natural History Society will also be among the
beneficiaries.
The little known fact in Chawla`s life -- her burning ambition to help conserve the environment, particularly birds -- figured recently in her will that had led to the establishment of the fund for environmental stewardship, named after her.
``We came to know about it a couple of months ago,`` said Kristy Wright of Audubon in a news release. ``We waited until we clarified the details with her family to announce the donation.``
Chawla`s dream of space flight was realised in 1996, when she became the first Indian-American astronaut to fly on a shuttle, along with others. She was thrilled to go into space for the second time in January. ``Just looking at the Earth, looking at the stars during the night part of the Earth just looking at our planet roll by and the speed at which it goes by and the awe that it inspires just so many such good thoughts come to your mind when you see all that,`` she had said in an interview.
``Doing it again is like living a dream, a good dream once again.``
After re-entering the space then, Chawla remarked from the spacecraft that it was important to protect the Earth. After her scheduled safe return on February 01, Chawla had planned to become more involved with Audubon and similar organisations that supported environment and education.
Wright said that the Chawla family had decided to give the money to Audubon as she had been an avid bird watcher and the donation was in the fitness of things.
The head of Audubon joined Wright in praising the Karnal, Haryana-born astronaut. ``Kalpana Chawla`s regard for birds and the planet that supports them was deeply held,`` said President John Flicker of the 150,000-member society, she joined in 1999.
``Her desire to foster strong stewardship and protect our global heritage is realised in the fund that her will so generously establishes and that Audubon is fortunate to administer.``
Chawla and her fellow six crew members died on February 01 over Texas as Columbia was re-entering the earth`s atmosphere on the way to landing at Kennedy space center in Florida.
In a related development, names of all the seven astronauts were added late last month to a National Memorial at the centre. The Memorial containing all the names of US astronauts died in flight or in training -- is made of polished granite. Bureau Report
The little known fact in Chawla`s life -- her burning ambition to help conserve the environment, particularly birds -- figured recently in her will that had led to the establishment of the fund for environmental stewardship, named after her.
``We came to know about it a couple of months ago,`` said Kristy Wright of Audubon in a news release. ``We waited until we clarified the details with her family to announce the donation.``
Chawla`s dream of space flight was realised in 1996, when she became the first Indian-American astronaut to fly on a shuttle, along with others. She was thrilled to go into space for the second time in January. ``Just looking at the Earth, looking at the stars during the night part of the Earth just looking at our planet roll by and the speed at which it goes by and the awe that it inspires just so many such good thoughts come to your mind when you see all that,`` she had said in an interview.
``Doing it again is like living a dream, a good dream once again.``
After re-entering the space then, Chawla remarked from the spacecraft that it was important to protect the Earth. After her scheduled safe return on February 01, Chawla had planned to become more involved with Audubon and similar organisations that supported environment and education.
Wright said that the Chawla family had decided to give the money to Audubon as she had been an avid bird watcher and the donation was in the fitness of things.
The head of Audubon joined Wright in praising the Karnal, Haryana-born astronaut. ``Kalpana Chawla`s regard for birds and the planet that supports them was deeply held,`` said President John Flicker of the 150,000-member society, she joined in 1999.
``Her desire to foster strong stewardship and protect our global heritage is realised in the fund that her will so generously establishes and that Audubon is fortunate to administer.``
Chawla and her fellow six crew members died on February 01 over Texas as Columbia was re-entering the earth`s atmosphere on the way to landing at Kennedy space center in Florida.
In a related development, names of all the seven astronauts were added late last month to a National Memorial at the centre. The Memorial containing all the names of US astronauts died in flight or in training -- is made of polished granite. Bureau Report