U.S. was a new country with a new atmosphere, liberal attitudes and complete freedom. Kalpana also felt changes taking place inside her according to the environment. She carried on with her reserve attitude. By nature she was an introvert who didn’t like too much mixing up with others. Kalpana devoted most of her time to studies.
In the new unfamiliar setup sometimes she felt lonely and nervous. But Kalpana could cope with them by considering them a small price she must pay to realise her dreams and the life’s foremost ambition. Those negative factors would soon be smothered by her overpowering enthusiasm to spread her wings. That would impel more studiousness in her which in turn generated joyous feeling.
In 1984, Kalpana earned Master’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering from Texas University. Then, she shifted to Boulder to do doctorate in ‘Computational Fluid Dynamics’ in Colarado University.
University’s thesis guide Don Wilson got very impressed with Kalpana’s studies and research. He wanted Kalpana to join National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA) situated at Houston. NASA had a grand Space Research Programme besides a workshop on Rocket Science.
While working on her thesis Kalpana had taken up flying course in Colarado. There training fee was very high. A student living on scholarship could hardly afford it but the girl was somehow managing with some sacrifices. Her ambition and spirit was just irresistible.
In 1987, Kalpana was all set to get her licence of ‘Private Pilot’. When her training was just ending, her mother, Sanyogita arrived in Colarado to see her daughter Kalpana with her own eyes, and to watch her progress. After all her incredible daughter had defied all odds, hurdles, prejudices and handicaps to be where, that is what the orthodox mother wanted to find out.
The proud mother became the first passenger of her ambitious daughter flown aeroplane, now Kalpana Chawla, a licenced Private Pilot.
When Kalpana flew her mother over deep Colarado gorge, the latter had tears in her eyes and was too overwhelmed to speak any words. She could not believe that her little girl was piloting an aeroplane sitting beside her, and that too not in Karnal but in the skies of far off America.
Kalpana was now 25-26 years old. It was a matter of grave concern for an Indian mother who was of the view that the girl should have married a decade ago. The mother broached the subject of marriage naturally, a sacred duty of Indian mother.
But Kalpana would not be domesticated. She still had higher goals to achieve than Colarado air cover. Like always, Kalpana wriggled out of the marriage talk. The marriage could prove a terrible handicap to her mission.
Everytime the parents talked of marriage Kalpana made it clear that her final goal was yet to be achieved.
Mostly the marriages in India traditionally were made to cage the girls into in-law’s house and the parents heaved a sigh of relief at getting rid of the potential source of scandal. In real sense the marriage was not for the happiness and advancement of two persons. And that was the aspect Kalpana shied away from.
The educated person like Kalpana was bound to meet the right one in the course of her life without the services of the barbers, priests, matchmakers or the parents. It was a natural process bound to occur because she had not become an avowed nun. It was clear that she was going to marry a man of her choice only. No pressures would work.
During her research stint, Kalpana happened to meet an Indian family. And through that family she came into contact with an American who was connected with NASA. His name was Jean Piere Harrison. Obviously he had some French connection. It was later revealed that he had British father and French mother, but now an American citizen. He was an engineer working with NASA as a ‘Free Flight Instructor’ and was known to his friends and colleagues as ‘J.P.’
Having dearly common interests Kalpana and J.P. interacted a lot. There was one more reason for their coming closer, J.P. was deeply interested in Indian culture and customs. Thus, they had a lot of information and experienes to exchange.
J.P’s personality and his sweet nature touched the heart of Kalpana. He was amazed to hear the struggles and passions of Kalpana. J.P. had written several books on flying and earned a fair name in aeronautical circles. When he learnt about Kalpana’s boundless space ambitions, he spontaneously encouraged her to keep going on and on.
J.P. advised Kalpana to finish her thesis before delving deep into the intricacies of space flights. Kalpana was a sharp girl. While doing research, she kept, on the side, learning about aero-engines.
She had gathered lot of information on space and the research in space. Kalpana had gained practical knowledge on pistons, turbine engines etc. and had theoratical know-how on aeroplane construction technology. As a member of a special team Kalpana had studied closely the aircraft engine parts and the designs.
J.P. promised Kalpana to teach her all the things connected to space research and its complexities. He kept up his promise. The close association unwittingly transformed into intimacy without anyone of them consciously realising it. They had fallen in love indeed.
So far, Kalpana had thought that marriage was just a hindrance to her mission. The family’s idea of getting her a businessman, or a lawyer or a doctor husband didn’t appeal to her.
But her relationship with J.P. presented completely a different picture. He could prove very helpful in the advancement of her own mission. The two were already working as a team. Kalpana had no hesitation in giving her consent to her union with J.P. They got married but kept it a secret. Only a few close friends knew that J.P. and Kalpana were husband and wife. It did not remain a secret for long.
The family learnt about Kalpana’s marriage much later but now a fait accompli. There was nothing the family could do except show generosity and liberal attitude by sportingly approve the union. Kalpana kept in touch with people who had been helpful to her.
On her marriage, Professor V.S. Malhotra reacted—‘The girl got married without much ado because of her being too preoccupied with her research works. Otherwise Kalpana would not have walked to wedding altar without first seeking my blessings. Anyway I have sent her my good wishes and congratulations. We know that she would not make a wrong choice.’
Back home, the folks were sentimental like always. In American atmosphere Kalpana had learnt not to dwell too much on sentiments. What mattered was her mission.
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