WATER and REACHING THE STARS

WATER: THE ELIXIR OF LIFE
Why water is considered the true elixir of life? Or Write about the constructive and destructive purpose of water.
Prof. C.V.Raman, one of the greatest Indian scientists, has tried to bring about the importance of water. Water has a unique power of maintaining animal and plant life. Water is the commonest of all liquids. Without water the land will be barren like the deserts in Egypt. Egypt is made by its river Nile. On one side of Egypt we see sand and on the other side, densely populated area separated by the river Nile. Water is a wonderful thing on earth. At the country side water is the most beautiful site. The rainfed tanks play a vital role n couth Indian agriculture. But these tanks are often neglected. Some of them are large and it is beautiful to see sunrise and sunset in them.
The flow of water plays a great part on the earth’s surface. Water carries silt and finely divided soil and deposits in low lying areas, which even carries large amounts of solid particles. Silt deposited land is very fertile. The same water plays destructive part as it washes away the soil, which is the foundation of all agriculture. The problem of soil erosion is one of the major problems. Soil erosion occurs in successive steps. In the beginning, it may go unnoticed. But in the later stages, the cutting up and the washing away of earth is clear. Sudden burst of heavy rain causes soil erosion. The slope of the land also causes soil erosion which calls for urgent attention and preventive action. The terracing of the land, construction of bunds is essential to check the flow of water. The practice of contour cultivation and planting of appropriate plants are some of the measures suggested to prevent soil erosion.
Water is essential for the animal body while moisture in soil is equally important for life and growth of plants. Much of Indian agriculture depends on monsoon. Thus the collection of rail water and utilization of it is very important. Vast area of land, which at present has scrub jungle, could be turned into dense forest. The problem of aforestation is closely connected with conservation of water supplies. The planting of trees in every possible way and the development of forest is the most urgent need of India; such plantation would check soil erosion and provide cheap fuel. The conservation of water also serves a purpose of value to the life of country side. The cheapest means of transport is by boats and barges. There is development of rail, road transport but a few measures are taken to improve waterways. Harvesting of water supplies develops hydro-electric power.
Thus water plays a vital role in both animal and plant life and we should pay the highest interest in its proper utilization.


REACHING FOR THE STARS
Kalpana Chawla was a rare combination of brilliant mind and an intensely humane spirit discuss.
Kalpana was the youngest of four children. She was born on 1st of July, 1961. She grew up in Karnal which was full of social restrictions, but her father Banarasi Lal Chawla gave importance to educate all children equally. Kalpana was a shy but cheerful girl with boundless energy and a strong inclination for adventure. She impressed everyone with her determination and commitment to work. She was fun loving and she organized picnic with her friends. She learnt to drive a car when she was only 14. She was fascinated by aircraft and making aircrafts. Moreover she loved to watch endless dark sky scattered with twinkling stars. Kalpana had an impressive academic record. She wanted to be a flight engineer and hence she opted for Aeronautical Engineering in Punjab Engineering college in Chandigarh. She was the only girl out of total eight students in class. She was very enthusiast and pleasant and unassuming who spent most time in library and laboratory. Whenever she had to make a choice she selected most challenging one. Kalpana decided to join the University of Texas of Arlington and continue her studies in USA. In Arlington, Kalpana plunged into the tightly packed routine of American M.S.Program.
In December 1993, Kalpana married French American Jean Pierre Harrison. After completing her Masters Programme, Kalpana moved with her husband to Colorado, where she completed her PhD programme. In 1998, Kalpana joined to NASA, AMES research centre in California. She applied even to NASA Space Centre , to become an astronaut. In 1993, she was given a job as Vice President and Research Scientist with Overset Methods Inc., in the Silicon Valley. She was put incharge of developing and implementing techniques for Aerodynamic optimisation.
Kalpana finally attended an interview and medical evaluation to become an astronaut. She was chosen from total of 2,962 applicants, she had worked hard for the interview. She became a pride to her nation and family. In Houston, she spent months in high fidelity simulators and under zero gravity conditions. In November 1997 her dream of becoming an astronaut was fulfilled. She was one of the six crew members onboard the Columbia Shuttle STS-87 assigned the job of prime robotic arm operator. She was the mission specialist, she had to monitor experiment conducted onboard and perform extra vehicular activity.
Kalpana realised in space that our planet is really very small part of the universe. She loved nature and as a nature enthusiast, she wanted everyone to take care of their habitat. Kalpana always remembers her friends and associates. She believed in lasting relationships inspite of her hectic schedule at NASA and the pressures of life. She helped her people in different times of her life. She arranged a programme allowing two students from her school to visit NASA every year.
Before her last journey she planned to sponsor a young student to a University in South Africa. Kalpana was once again selected as crew member for STS-107 launch. The purpose of sixteen day mission was to conduct research on micro gravity. It was a perfect launch and the members carried out their assigned work. Kalpana conducted a lot of experiments. She even heard her favourite music on CD.
On February 2003, Colombia was ready to re-enter the earth’s atmosphere. Kalpana’s family and friends were waiting at Cape Canaveral. But all of a sudden all communication within Colombia snapped when it was at a height of 207,135 feet in sky, the Colombia burst leaving no survivor
Kalpana was truly remarkable woman with a rare combination of brilliant mind and intensely humane spirit. She will remain a part of the world’s heritage for the extraordinary will power and daring that she showed in her attempt to reach the stars.