Donald Trump hails late astronaut Kalpana Chawla as American hero

[Hitman]

US President Donald Trump has hailed Indian-origin Kalpana Chawla as an American hero for devoting her life to the space programme and inspiring millions of girls to become astronauts.

Trump's remarks came on Monday as he issued a proclamation declaring May as 'Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month'. The US Congress has also designated the month of May each year as "Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month."

Chawla was the first woman of Indian-origin in space. She was one of the seven crew members who died in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster in 2003 when the craft disintegrated during its re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere.

"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 programme and its various missions transporting cargo and crew to and from the International Space Station," Trump said.

For her achievements, the Congress posthumously awarded her the Congressional Space Medal of Honour, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) posthumously awarded her the NASA Space Flight Medal and the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, he said.

"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.

The proclamation noted that during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the Trump administration recognises their tremendous contributions.

"Through their industriousness and love of country, our nation has enjoyed the privileges and enrichments of multiple innovations and societal advancements," Trump said.

There are more than 20 million Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders who call America home, including those living in Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas.

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

"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.

Link: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...ium=social&utm_campaign=TOI&utm_content=om-bm

 

[Hitman]

This man, bolta kuch hain aur karta kuch hain.

 

[Napa]

This man, bolta kuch hain aur karta kuch hain.

Actually I find that he is much more honest than the usual politician. What have you found him to say that differs from his actions? Generally, he is more pro-India in his actions than the previous Presidents (other than when it comes to protecting American jobs).

 

[Hitman]

Actually I find that he is much more honest than the usual politician. What have you found him to say that differs from his actions? Generally, he is more pro-India in his actions than the previous Presidents (other than when it comes to protecting American jobs).

I'm genuinely annoyed at him for cracking the whip on Indians in the visa sector. Look, I know he'll do what's good for his country. But then again I can't help but get annoyed at him for it. He's targeting the student visa sector next. My cousin is studying in the US right now.

 

[JaDed]

Remember having a chapter about Kalpana in our school text book,also recall many girls writing essays on her being their role model,wonder if anyone even had followed that path.

Admire the new age Indian women,they are basically reaching higher levels in almost all fields, even in technically they are publishing papers at a higher rate now,hopefully they don't go the same way of Engineering and Banking.

 

[Napa]

I'm genuinely annoyed at him for cracking the whip on Indians in the visa sector. Look, I know he'll do what's good for his country. But then again I can't help but get annoyed at him for it. He's targeting the student visa sector next. My cousin is studying in the US right now.

I agree. Some of the things he is doing to protect American workers and jobs are going to hurt Indians.

Some other things he is doing in the foreign policy area are actually beneficial to India.

The guy just says what he thinks. Or at least a lot more than other guys did. So saying "bolta kuch hain aur karta kuch hain" is not justified.

 

[Sidilicious]

I agree. Some of the things he is doing to protect American workers and jobs are going to hurt Indians.

Some other things he is doing in the foreign policy area are actually beneficial to India.

The guy just says what he thinks. Or at least a lot more than other guys did. So saying "bolta kuch hain aur karta kuch hain" is not justified.

But him being Pro-India (those actually living in India is more important) than him protecting the visas of the a few Indian Americans. India needs to develop its industry in such a manner that we do not have this mass exodus of workers every year.

 

[Napa]

But him being Pro-India (those actually living in India is more important) than him protecting the visas of the a few Indian Americans. India needs to develop its industry in such a manner that we do not have this mass exodus of workers every year.

Actually reducing visas at this point would be like closing the stable door after the horse has already bolted. If Indians are not given visas to work in the US, the work will simply move to India and will be done over the internet. And those doing the work will spend their money in India rather than spending it in the US.

 

[Sidilicious]

Actually reducing visas at this point would be like closing the stable door after the horse has already bolted. If Indians are not given visas to work in the US, the work will simply move to India and will be done over the internet. And those doing the work will spend their money in India rather than spending it in the US.

Yeah, and that would be brilliant. So, I dont see anything too negative with reducing visas.

Only 2 things can happen -

1) the Indians go to other countries - nothing much changes for India.
2) They move to India. Most retain their jobs, but some dont. Indian GDP is boosted, but we need to create more jobs. Not a bad outcome, with a slightly difficult initial period when we would need to create jobs.

 

[gani999]

Kalpana Chawla was an American citizen and Trump is merely praising the contribution of an American citizen to America. So I don't see what the fuss is all about.

Desis must stop getting emotional and hyper when a person of desi origin gets praised for contributing to his/her adopted country. It is what everyone is expected to do.

 

[Hitman]

Kalpana Chawla was an American citizen and Trump is merely praising the contribution of an American citizen to America. So I don't see what the fuss is all about.

Desis must stop getting emotional and hyper when a person of desi origin gets praised for contributing to his/her adopted country. It is what everyone is expected to do.

So? Einstein was an American citizen from 1940 till his death. The Israelis don't take pride in him?

 

[Sidilicious]

Kalpana Chawla was an American citizen and Trump is merely praising the contribution of an American citizen to America. So I don't see what the fuss is all about.

Desis must stop getting emotional and hyper when a person of desi origin gets praised for contributing to his/her adopted country. It is what everyone is expected to do.

tbf, Chawla did live the first 18 years of her life in India. So, the Indians can take some pride in that.

But its stupid when Indians start taking pride in Foreigners who were not born in India, or hardly spent any time in India.

 

[gani999]

So? Einstein was an American citizen from 1940 till his death. The Israelis don't take pride in him?

Take all the pride you want. Nothing wrong in that. It is just that we Indians take it to another level altogether. I don' think that Trump praising Chawla deserves to be on the front page headlines in an Indian newspaper simply because she is of Indian origin. It is not like she's the only or even the first Indian who has made it big in the US.

This sort of celebration only shows insecurity.

 

[Hitman]

Take all the pride you want. Nothing wrong in that. It is just that we Indians take it to another level altogether. I don' think that Trump praising Chawla deserves to be on the front page headlines in an Indian newspaper simply because she is of Indian origin. It is not like she's the only or even the first Indian who has made it big in the US.

This sort of celebration only shows insecurity.

Not really. Simply because Kalpana Chawla is celebrated in India. Why exactly is she celebrated when she wasn't even an Indian citizen?

 

[King-Misbah]

So? Einstein was an American citizen from 1940 till his death. The Israelis don't take pride in him?

Einstein did not endorse the state of Israel so Israel taking pride is rather silly.

 

[Rahul1]

So? Einstein was an American citizen from 1940 till his death. The Israelis don't take pride in him?

Wasn't Einstein German?

 

[Hitman]

Wasn't Einstein German?

He was born in Germany. He was a Jew.

 

[Napa]

Yeah, and that would be brilliant. So, I dont see anything too negative with reducing visas.

Only 2 things can happen -

1) the Indians go to other countries - nothing much changes for India.
2) They move to India. Most retain their jobs, but some dont. Indian GDP is boosted, but we need to create more jobs. Not a bad outcome, with a slightly difficult initial period when we would need to create jobs.

I would say the jobs moving to India is the most likely outcome. You can't simply have a liberal arts major in the US suddenly do the work the Indian H1B was doing. The reason why Indians rather than Americans are doing the work is fundamental, and now that the work can be done over the internet, the jobs will simply move to India.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Great that Indians feel vindicated by Trump. A pat on the head is always nice.