'American Hero' Kalpana Chawla inspires girls of the world: Donald Trump

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Flipboard
  • Email
  • WhatsApp
'American Hero' Kalpana Chawla inspires girls of the world: Donald Trump
'American Hero' Kalpana Chawla inspires girls of the world: Donald Trump

New Delhi : The United States President Donald Trump hailed Indian astronaut Kalpana Chawla for her work and said she is an inspiration from girls of the world.

"Indian American Kalpana Chawla was the first woman of Indian descent to fly in space, and became an American hero for her devotion to the Space Shuttle program and its various missions transporting cargo and crew to and from the International Space Station," Trump said.

40-year-old astronaut was the first Indian American to fly in space. She was one of the seven crew members who died in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster in 2003 when the spacecraft disintegrated during its re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere.

For her achievement, she has been awarded Congressional Space Medal of Honor, NASA Space Flight Medal, and NASA Distinguished Service Medal.

“Ms. Chawla’s courage and passion continue to serve as an inspiration for millions of American girls who dream of one-day becoming astronauts,” said Trump.

America is a country that values hard work, an honest living, and a commitment to the ideals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, Trump added.

“For these reasons, America cherishes its connections with the Indo-Pacific region, which shares an appreciation for these principles, he asserted.

Americans of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage help to reinforce these relationships, which are stronger today than ever before,” he added.