Kalpana Chawla, a trailblazing astronaut, etched her name in history as the first Indian woman to venture into space. Born on July 1, 1962, Kalpana's birth anniversary is celebrated every year to commemorate her remarkable courage and valour. Her pioneering journey began in 1997 when she flew on Space Shuttle Columbia as a mission specialist and primary robotic arm operator. She went on to embark on her second flight on STS-107 in 2003.

Kalpana's remarkable achievements serve as a beacon of inspiration, motivating countless individuals to pursue their dreams and push beyond the boundaries of what is possible. Her legacy continues to soar, reminding us of the power of determination and hard work. On her birth anniversary, we've compiled some motivational quotes by her that you must read.

Kalpana Chawla Quotes

1. Listen to the sounds of nature. Wishing you the best on your trek towards your dreams.

2. I don't know why I always liked aerospace engineering. I was in the 10th grade when I figured that's what I wanted to do.

3. I stopped thinking about it after trying to figure out what the lessons learned are, and there are so many. After I had basically sorted that out, I figured it was time to really look at the future and not at the past.

4. Every once in a while, we'd ask my dad if we could get a ride on one of these planes. And, he did take us to the flying club and got us a ride in the Pushpak and a glider that the flying club had.

5. The path from dreams to success does exist. May you have the vision to find it, the courage to get on to it, and the perseverance to follow it.

6. Do something because you really want to do it. If you're doing it just for the goal and don't enjoy the path, then I think you're cheating yourself.

7. You must enjoy the journey because whether or not you get there, you must have fun on the way.

8. It's like running a marathon. We train at all hours of the day. When you are taking a bath, you are thinking of the flight.

9. We crossed the Himalayas in less than two minutes, and then you realise, 'Oh My God, within an hour and a half, we have gone around the whole planet.'

10. We gaze dreamily at the Milky Way and once in a while catch some shooting stars. Times like those gave me the opportunity to wonder and ask all those very basic questions. That sense of awe for the heavens started there.