Veteran Film Actress Kamini Kaushal, aged 86 years, was conferred Kalpana Chawla Excellence Award by Kalpana Chawla’s father Sh BL Chawla at a Function held at Epicentre, Gurgaon on Sept 25 by Punjab Engineering College Chandigarh Old Boys Association (PECOBA) in memory of its alumnus late astronaut Kalpana Chawla .
Eighty six years old Kamini Kaushal has acted in films continuously for the last 67 years starting as the heroine of Chetan Anand’s film Neecha Nagar (1946), her latest film being Chennai Express (2013) in which she played role of Shahrukh Khan’s grandmother. She has acted in about 100 films till date and continues to be active.
“Today we pay homage to a remarkable young Indian who shone like a star throughout her brief life, illuminating our lives, and bringing pride and glory to India. … She was that rare person whose dedication, determination and quest for excellence matched her souring aspirations. Her brilliant career as an astronaut was achieved entirely through her own efforts – she pulled no strings, sought no favours, and she was willing to sacrifice her life to push forward the frontiers of human knowledge…. Kalpana’s life will continue to inspire generations of young Indians. – Signed SONIA GANDHI dated Feb 7, 2003.
Mr Amarjit Kohli stated that now 10 years have lapsed since the death of Kalpana Chawla. The Government should acknowledge her contribution by bestowing Bharat Ratna on her posthumously, more so when it has already conferred Padma Bhushan on astronaut Sunita Williams who came much later.
The Function ended with a unique programme of Musical Homage with live singing and visuals entitled “ Kalpana Ki Udaan, Naari Ka Samman:” produced by Cultural Society Sakha, visual designing by Santosh Sharma, scripted and compered by Mamta Vani, orchestration by Lovely Sharma and produced and directed by Sakha Chairman Amarjit Singh Kohli.
