Chandigarh: Glowing tributes were paid to Kalpana Chawla on February 3 by staff, students and alumni of Punjab Engineering College (PEC), where she graduated in aeronautical engineering, with Punjab Governor J F R Jacob describing the Indian- American astronaut as a vibrant person with a spirit of adventure.

Chawla, who was among the seven astronauts on the ill-fated space shuttle Columbia, which exploded on February 1, was a vibrant, dedicated and sincere person with a spirit of adventure, Jacob said addressing a prayer meeting at the college which was also attended by senior civil and Air Force officials.

The girls' hostel at PEC will be named after the leading astronaut, the Governor said, adding an award, carrying a cash prize of Rs 25,000, a silver medal and a certificate, had been instituted in Chawla's honour to be given to the best student of aeronautical engineering.

Chawla, who completed her early education from Karnal in Haryana, graduated from the PEC in early 1980s and was carrying a banner from her college during her last space mission.

A two-minute silence was also observed by the gathering and wreaths were laid at the "PEC memorabilia" displaying the astronaut's photograph and her signatures and message to the students of the college.

Among others present on the occasion included AOC three base repair depot (BRD) air commodore S B Prashar and deputy commissioner Ram Shekhar. The college has declared holiday on February 3 as a mark of respect for the astronaut.

PTI