New Delhi: Paying glowing tributes to Kalpana Chawla and six other astronauts who were killed in the Columbia Space Shuttle disaster, President A P J Abdul Kalam on February 17 said their sacrifice would inspire the Indian youth to dream big and work hard to achieve their objectives.

"The remarkable journey of courage and determination that made this Indian woman, hailing from a small town in Haryana, a citizen of the Milky Way will remain a source of pride for all 'Bharatvasis' and 'Bharatvanshis'," he said in his address to the joint sitting of Parliament on the opening day of the Budget session.

"It will also inspire young Indians, especially women, to dream big and to work hard to realise their dreams," Kalam, himself a renowned scientist, said.

He also commended the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for naming the METSAT series of satellites after the Indian-born astronaut.

PTI