Although most people in Kalpana Chawla's hometown, Karnal, are proud of her achievements, her batchmates from the Punjab Engineering College, where she studies from 1978 to 1982, have special memories of her.

"It was not in her nature to mingle with other students and waste valuable time. She would rather study or spend time in the aeronautic engineering department than gossip. She made her presence felt from the day she joined college by wearing a pair of jeans and a T-shirt unlike other female students, who were seen in a salwar kameez or a saree. Her clothes were always neat and tidy," said Gyan Danwra, who was in Chawla's batch.

Sandeep Bhargava, another one of her batchmates, said the number seven had a special significance in her life. "She was born in the 7th month of the year. Her space shuttle went into space on January 16, the sum total of which is seven, and she was 16 minutes away from landing when her spacecraft crashed... I do not believe in numbers but now they seem to be significant. At least in her case, the number seven played a big role," he said.

According to Atul Khosla, an electrical engineering student, Kalpana never thought she was inferior to the men around her.

"Perhaps that's why she had short hair and chose to wear jeans and T-shirts. Once a senior student commented on her appearance and she grabbed him by the collar and took him to the principal. The student was rusticated. He was later readmitted after he apologised to Kalpana," Khosla said.

Many of Kalpana's batchmates sent emails congratulating her after her return from space. She promised to come to India to see them.

But when they heard about her death, they dug their college magazines out to reminisce about the days that they shared with one of India's achievers.

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What do you think about the story? Read what others have to say: Number of User Comments: 13 Sub: commemoration of achievements of Kalpana , the Hindustani Child How can I forget the moments awaiting for your foot steps on the soil ! As long as I live in this mortal world , ... Posted by Dr.. R.K. Mohanty Sub: Kalpna's achievement Really she was a brave lady, but we should not forget other six, who left behind little kids after them. My tribute to all seven. ... Posted by Satvir Singh Sub: number 16 As far numerology is we have to explore much more in this instance. Number 16 is represented by shattered tower, on its top of a ... Posted by unnikrishnan Sub: Why do we mourn I may be wrong but why do we weep for a person who sacrified her life for wellness of USA except the fact that she ... Posted by Surya Sub: NASA Tragedy I have a very naive question to ask. It is indeed a great tragedy that Kalpana Chawala lost her life in the Space shuttle crash. ... Posted by ashwin