Indian politicians, sports personalities across India on Saturday remembered and celebrated Indian-origin NASA astronaut Kalpana Chawla on her 56th birth anniversary.

Kalpana Chawla was the first Indian-born woman and second Indian to fly in space.

The West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in a tweet said; “Remembering astronaut Kalpana Chawla on her birth anniversary”.

Remembering astronaut Kalpana Chawla on her birth anniversary

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) March 17, 2018

Minister of Railways and Coal, Piyush Goyal, took to Twitter saying that Kalpana Chawla’s “accomplishments will continue to be an inspirational force for youth, especially young girls across the world”.

Remembering Astronaut Kalpana Chawla on her birth anniversary. Her accomplishments will continue to be an inspirational force for youth, especially young girls across the world. pic.twitter.com/v9cmQTvVED

— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) March 17, 2018

“Kalpana has inspired us all to follow our dreams and strive for excellence in life”, said VVS Laxman in a tweet.

Remembering the iconic #KalpanaChawla , first woman of Indian origin in space, on her birth anniversary. Kalpana has inspired us all to follow our dreams and strive for excellence in life. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/zynOsrcn2j

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) March 17, 2018

TDP leader and Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu remembered the “brave daughter of India” on her 56th birth anniversary.

Remembering the brave daughter of India, Kalpana Chawla on her birth anniversary.

— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) March 17, 2018

Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi paid his tribute by remembering the woman, who took Indian pride into space. (Translated from Hindi)

अपने समर्पण,साहस और जीवट से बुलंदियों को छूकर,बेटियों के मान और भारत के गौरव को अंतरिक्ष तक ले जाने वाली,वाली,करोड़ों की प्रेरणाश्रोत #KalpanaChawla को विनम्र आदरांजलि | pic.twitter.com/rAs6Elwd2e

— Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) March 17, 2018

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, while calling Kalpana Chawla a “trailblazer” said that, she broke the “glass ceiling many times over”.

Trailblazer Kalpana Chawla – you broke the glass ceiling many times over. Remembering the first woman astronaut of Indian origin in space, on her birth anniversary. pic.twitter.com/zMEOh2Yw3r

— Vasundhara Raje (@VasundharaBJP) March 17, 2018

Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar paid his tribute to Kalpana Chawla and said that “she continues to be an incredible role-model & inspiration as she showed the world that nothing is impossible for women if they have strong will”.

My tributes to Late #KalpanaChawla, first Indian Woman Astronaut, on her birth anniversary. She continues to be an incredible role-model & inspiration as she showed the world that nothing is impossible for women if they have strong will.@NASA pic.twitter.com/xoQ4oqBuHE

— Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) March 17, 2018

“Kalpana ,a woman who gave wings to her dreams , a symbol of courage and strength. She remains immortal in our hearts and an inspiration for all.:, Cricketer Virender Sehwag said in a tweet.

Tributes to #KalpanaChawla on her birth anniversary. Kalpana ,a woman who gave wings to her dreams , a symbol of courage and strength. She remains immortal in our hearts and an inspiration for all. pic.twitter.com/KfoSHClmnM

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) March 17, 2018

Mohammad Kaif paid tributes to “first Indian American woman in space”.

Heartfelt tributes to #KalpanaChawla , the first Indian American woman in space on her birth anniversary ! pic.twitter.com/8ngc8h2WQ6

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) March 17, 2018

In 2003, on the morning of February 1, space shuttle Columbia broke up just 16 minutes from landing on Earth, killing the seven astronauts of the STS-107 mission.

According to NASA, a piece of foam, falling from the external tank during launch, had opened a hole in one of the shuttle’s wings, leading to the breakup of the orbiter upon re-entry.

Born in Karnal, India, on July 1, 1961, Chawla who was the youngest of four children, graduated from Tagore School, Karnal, India, in 1976.

After completing her Bachelor of science in aeronautical engineering from Punjab Engineering College, she went on to become an aerospace engineer and an FAA Certified Flight Instructor.

Chawla served as Flight Engineer and Mission Specialist 2 for STS-107 and became the second Indian person to fly in space after astronaut Rakesh Sharma.

The 16-day flight on the STS-107 Columbia, was a dedicated science and research mission. Working 24 hours a day, in two alternating shifts, the crew successfully conducted approximately 80 experiments.

(With agency inputs)