Follow her way
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A street in New York's Jackson Heights has been named after Kalpana Chawla. On the second anniversary of her death, RAJ S. RANGARAJAN takes a look.
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RAJ S. RANGARAJAN
SHE loved soaring high, flying tail-wheel airplanes, hiking and backpacking, and she had a devoted husband who shared these passions. Most of all, she had the "Can Do" attitude that her Americans bosses liked. This was Kalpana Chawla, the Indian destined to die for her adopted land — the U.S. She was the first Indian-American spacewoman to have tried and triumphed. In July 2005 she would have been 44.
Last July the Indian-American community and other well-wishers paid tribute to Kalpana's memory by participating in the opening of Kalpana Chawla Way — formerly 74th Street in Jackson Heights, New York city. It is indeed befitting that Kalpana Chawla Way was instituted in New York, the meeting-point for immigrants from several countries and where many an Indian first arrived in pursuit of his/her "American dream".
Initial problems
Naming 74th Street in the borough of Queens was not easy. Ask Shiv Dass, president of Jackson Heights Merchants' Association, who at times fought a lone battle against entrenched interests.
Like so many bureaucratic decisions, suggestions to honour Kalpana Chawla initially received a cold shoulder. There were complaints from the New York city council that more qualified candidates deserving of the honour of a street named after them. Besides, the Indian community in New York was of fairly recent origin — hardly 40 years — in the overall scheme of things. After all Kalpana Chawla was no president or politician, senator or freedom fighter, she was a "mere astronaut" who happened to be of Indian origin. Dass, leader of the Indian merchant community, over the past four years, wouldn't give up easily. First, he approached N.Y. City Councilwoman Helen Sears (Democrat), who got a council bill passed to the effect that astronaut Chawla of Indian origin, should be honoured suitably. Dass made it mission for more than a year and he was joined by Archana Jayaram, an aide to New York city's mayor Michael Bloomberg.
He had to confront numerous objections from state and council officials, and from people of Hispanic origin "since the neighbourhood is predominantly white with a mix of people of different parts of South America."
Dass said, "Ultimately, the stature of the person, i.e., a lady astronaut and the nature of the tragedy perhaps swayed in favour of the Indian-American cause."
Michael Bloomberg officially unveiled Kalpana Chawla Way at a simple ceremony on July 11, 2004 that was attended by hundreds of people from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh in the neighbourhood, known as Little India.
At the dedication New York state senator John Sabini said, "In the spirit of cooperation between the nations of India and the United States, Dr. Chawla took on this assignment and died under the American flag over American soil. We salute her today as a uniquely Indian and American heroine."
Joseph Crowley, co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans said, "Kalpana Chawla Way exemplifies the resilience of the Indian-American community."
Commercial hub
"We are so proud to have the street named after her. All of us from South Asia — Indians, Pakistanis, and Bangladeshis — are happy to honour one of our own," Dass said. The Jackson Heights retail area was the first Indian market to be established in New York, about 40 years ago and every weekday, at least 8,000 people pass through and on weekends the number is much larger.
More than 50,000 persons of Indian origin live in the area. The street celebrates Deepavali with pomp every year and merchants of varied nationalities participate. On Deepavali Day Kalpana Chawla Way becomes a pedestrian paradise with vehicular traffic being diverted. Being a hub of commercial activity, retail outlets and South Asian regional restaurants sizzle.
Several universities, institutes and schools in the U.S., India and other countries have been honouring Chawla with awards celebrating her spirit.
Nischint Sundar, a recipient of the Chawla/Ochoa Award for Exceptional level of Academic Achievements through scholarly pursuits from the Office of Multicultural Affairs at Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York, said, "What better way to commemorate Kalpana Chawla's heroism and bravery than to remind people that what she did mattered for the country."
On Chawla's loss, American President George W. Bush said, "None of our astronauts travelled a longer path to space than Kalpana Chawla... she left India as a student but she would see the nation of her birth, all of it, from hundreds of miles above."
The writer is based in New York. E-mail him at ranga522@optonline.net
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