Class 6 English Notes Chapter 4 (An Indian- American Woman in Space:Kalpana Chawla; Beauty) – HoneySuckle Book

Detailed Notes with MCQs of Chapter 4 today. This chapter tells us about a truly inspirational figure, Kalpana Chawla, and is followed by a thoughtful poem, 'Beauty'. Both are important, not just for understanding the text, but also for the values and general knowledge they impart, which can be helpful for various examinations.

Chapter 4: An Indian-American Woman in Space: Kalpana Chawla - Detailed Notes

1. Introduction to Kalpana Chawla:

• Kalpana Chawla was the first woman of Indian origin (born in India) to go to space.
• She is described as an Indian-American, indicating her Indian birth and subsequent US citizenship.
• Her story is one of courage, determination, and breaking barriers.

2. Early Life and Education:

• Birthplace: Karnal, Haryana, India.
• Schooling: Tagore School, Karnal.
• Higher Education (India): Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh.
• Move to the USA: Went for higher studies against her father's initial wishes.
• Higher Education (USA):
  • Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington.
  • Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder.

3. Qualifications and Interests:

• Beyond her academic degrees, Kalpana was a certified flight instructor.
• She was licensed to fly single and multi-engine land airplanes, single-engine seaplanes, and gliders.
• This demonstrates her deep passion and expertise in aviation and aerospace.

4. Joining NASA:

• Selection: Selected by NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) in 1994 for training as an astronaut.
• Motivation: Her journey from a small town in India to NASA exemplifies that dreams can be achieved with dedication.

5. First Space Mission (1997):

• Shuttle: Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-87).
• Duration: Flew from November 19 to December 5, 1997.
• Role: Mission Specialist and primary robotic arm operator.
• Distance Covered: Travelled 10.45 million kilometres in 252 orbits of the earth.
• Time in Space: Approximately 372 hours (about 15 days and 12 hours).
• Experiments: The crew performed experiments like pollinating plants in space to observe food growth and tests for making stronger metals and faster computer chips.

6. Second Space Mission (2003) - The Ill-fated Columbia Mission (STS-107):

• Shuttle: Space Shuttle Columbia.
• Launch Date: January 16, 2003.
• Crew: Kalpana Chawla and six other astronauts.
• Duration: 16-day science and research mission.
• Tragedy: On February 1, 2003, the Space Shuttle Columbia broke apart in flames as it streaked over Texas towards its landing strip in Florida.
• Outcome: All seven crew members were killed. The shuttle lost contact with NASA about 16 minutes before its scheduled landing.

7. Kalpana Chawla's Message and Legacy:

• Connection to India: Despite becoming a naturalised US citizen, she never forgot her roots and identified strongly with her Indian heritage.
• Message from Space: She sent a message from the Columbia shuttle to students of her college in Chandigarh, encouraging them, saying, "The path from dreams to success does exist. May you have the vision to find it, the courage to get onto it… Wishing you a great journey."
• Inspiration: She remains a powerful symbol of achievement, particularly for women and those from smaller towns, proving that barriers can be overcome. Her life encourages pursuing one's dreams relentlessly.
• Journalist's Quote: A journalist wrote, "She was a heroine... For millions of young Indians, the story of Kalpana Chawla... has become an inspiration."

Key Terms:

• NASA: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (US space agency).
• Astronaut: A person trained to travel in a spacecraft.
• Space Shuttle: A reusable spacecraft designed to transport people and cargo between Earth and space.
• Crew: The group of people who work together on a ship, aircraft, or spacecraft.
• Naturalised Citizen: A person who was not born in a country but acquires citizenship later.
• Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering: Fields dealing with the design, development, testing, and production of aircraft and spacecraft.

Poem: Beauty - Detailed Notes

1. Poet: E-Yeh-Shure

2. Central Theme: The poem explores the concept of 'beauty' and suggests that it is omnipresent – found in nature, in sounds, and within ourselves.

3. Where Beauty Can Be Found (According to the Poem):

• In Sight (Nature):
  • Sunlight.
  • Trees.
  • Birds.
  • Corn growing.
  • People working or dancing for their harvest.
• In Sound (Heard Melodies):
  • Wind sighing (making a long, soft sound).
  • Rainfall.
  • A singer chanting (singing or shouting rhythmically).
• In Oneself (Internal Beauty):
  • Good deeds (noble actions).
  • Happy thoughts.
  • These repeat themselves in your dreams, in your work, and even in your rest.

4. Key Message:

• Beauty is not just something physical or external ("seen").
• It can also be auditory ("heard") and internal ("in yourself").
• True beauty lies in goodness, happiness, and the harmony observed in nature and human actions. It's an experience and a state of being.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. Kalpana Chawla completed her schooling from which town?
   a) Chandigarh
   b) New Delhi
   c) Karnal
   d) Arlington

2. What subject did Kalpana Chawla pursue for her Bachelor's degree in India?
   a) Aerospace Engineering
   b) Aeronautical Engineering
   c) Mechanical Engineering
   d) Computer Science

3. Kalpana Chawla first went into space aboard which Space Shuttle?
   a) Challenger
   b) Discovery
   c) Atlantis
   d) Columbia

4. What tragedy occurred on February 1, 2003?
   a) NASA cancelled all space missions.
   b) Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated upon re-entry.
   c) Kalpana Chawla decided to retire from NASA.
   d) A major experiment failed on the space station.

5. Kalpana Chawla became a 'naturalised U.S. citizen'. What does this mean?
   a) She was born in the U.S. but lived in India.
   b) She visited the U.S. frequently for work.
   c) She acquired U.S. citizenship after being born in India.
   d) She was an ambassador between India and the U.S.

6. In her message from space, Kalpana Chawla emphasized the existence of a path from ____ to ____.
   a) Earth to Space
   b) Dreams to Success
   c) School to College
   d) India to America

7. According to the poem 'Beauty', where can beauty be seen?
   a) Only in expensive objects
   b) In sunlight, trees, and birds
   c) Only in human faces
   d) Only in paintings

8. The poem 'Beauty' suggests that beauty can also be 'heard'. Which example is given?
   a) Loud music
   b) Traffic noise
   c) Wind sighing or rainfall
   d) People shouting

9. Who is the poet of 'Beauty'?
   a) Kalpana Chawla
   b) Rabindranath Tagore
   c) E-Yeh-Shure
   d) A P J Abdul Kalam

10. What kind of beauty does the poem suggest exists 'in yourself'?
    a) Physical appearance
    b) Expensive clothes
    c) Good deeds and happy thoughts
    d) Academic achievements

Answer Key for MCQs:

1. c) Karnal
2. b) Aeronautical Engineering
3. d) Columbia
4. b) Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated upon re-entry.
5. c) She acquired U.S. citizenship after being born in India.
6. b) Dreams to Success
7. b) In sunlight, trees, and birds
8. c) Wind sighing or rainfall
9. c) E-Yeh-Shure
10. c) Good deeds and happy thoughts

Make sure you revise these points thoroughly. Understanding Kalpana Chawla's journey and the poem's message about beauty provides valuable insights. Keep studying!