London: Rich tributes were paid to India-born NASA astronaut Kalpana Chawla, who died with six other astronauts on February 1 when space shuttle Columbia broke up on re-entry after a space mission.

Though the occasion was to celebrate India's Republic Day most speakers at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan spoke touchingly about Chawla, who "signified the contributions made by non-resident Indians abroad".

The High Commissioner for India, Ronen Sen, who was the chief guest, referred to Indian government's decision to grant dual citizenship to NRIs in certain countries and said "dual citizenship does not at all imply divided loyalty. This was amply demonstrated by Kalpana Chawla, who proudly wore stars and stripes (the US emblem) but at the same time had very close contact with Karnal, her home town (in Haryana).

Lord Navnit Dholakia, president of the Liberal Democrats, said, "Kalpana Chawla signified the contributions Indians are making throughout the world. Her memory will always be associated with the contribution of NRIs."

The gathering also observed a minute's silence in memory of Chawla and six other astronauts, who perished in the Columbia mishap.

Others who spoke on the occasion were Manik Dalal, chairman, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, UK, David Williams, Deputy Mayor of Hammersmith and Fulhams Borough and Dr Khalid Hameed, director-incharge of the Cromwell Hospital, London.

PTI