New Delhi: President A P J Abdul Kalam on February 1 night wrote to US President George W Bush expressing "deep pain" over "the great loss of the Columbia space shuttle and the brave crew members – seven astronauts".

Kalam also wrote to the Governor of Haryana, from where Indian-American astronaut Kalpana Chawla hailed, condoling her death in the space shuttle disaster.

"We in India had been specially proud that our own Kalpana Chawla was part of this space mission. Alas, we have, tragically though heroically, lost her… We are proud of you, Kalpana, we salute you," the President said in his message to the Governor.

In his message to Bush, Kalam said, "As a member of the space community and also as the President of India, I feel deeply pained to learn about the great loss of the Colombia space shuttle and the brave crew members – seven astronauts."

"Allow me to convey my heart felt condolences to the members of the bereaved family… I join you in this hour of grief and pray to the almighty to give all of us the strength and courage to bear this and move forward," Kalam told Bush.

In his message to the Governor, he said, "These setbacks shall only spur us on. We shall continue to aim for the sky and beyond, everything notwithstanding."

The President conveyed his condolence to the family members of Chawla.

PTI