All set to soar

Harleen Kaur

Considering someone an idol is very easy but it is rare that a person actually tries to emulate his or her role model. Following in the footsteps of her childhood idol Kalpana Chawla, is our this week’s Go Getter Rajni Chahal.

She is currently living her dream of doing Masters in Aerospace Engineering at The University of Texas at Arlington, where Kalpana Chawla studied. Recently she visited NASA (National Aeronautics Space Administration), a place she has always considered sacred and wished to visit since her childhood. Here, she shares her achievements, goals and her secret behind success.

Motivational factor

“I am blessed to have very supportive siblings. My father’s words always motivate me. I got inspired by the perfection with which he wants to do every work he has in hand. I believe in dreams, and every dream becoming true is the source of immense power and motivation for me.”

Feathers in the cap

She cleared All India Engineering Entrance Examination (AIEEE) with All India Rank (AIR) 841. Scored 310 out of 340 in Graduate Record Examination (GRE). In Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL), she got 89 out of 120 marks. Did her 10th and 12th from Sant Sarwan Dass Model School, Hadiabad, Phagwara and secured 79% and 72% respectively. Doing her B. Tech (Mechanical Engineering) from Dr B.R. Ambedkar National Institute of Technology (NIT), Jalandhar, she got CGPA 8.3 out of 10. Then there’s a Mathlete Award for good mathematic skills. She also did a stipend-based Research Internship at National Institute of Science & Technology, Berhampur, Odisha for two months.

Besides being a meritorious student, prizes in essay writing, speech, calligraphy and poster-making competitions, sit pretty in her resume. She has taught poor students for free during evening hours at an undergraduate college, while working as a member of Team PARIYAAS at NIT Jalandhar. She is now a member of Indian Cultural Council (ICC) and a Member of Housing Community at The University of Texas at Arlington.

Flip side of being an achiever

“Astonishingly, there isn’t any for me. I lost nothing while becoming what I am today. This was all I dreamt of, all I ever wanted. One should always enjoy one’s journey to their dreams.”

Your idol:

“I have been inspired by Indian-American astronaut, Kalpana Chawla, from the day I have known her. I was in 5th standard, when Columbia met its end and introduced Kalpana to me as my idol.”

Goal, here I come

“I always wanted to become an astronaut. I am living my dream and moving towards the goal...”

Stress busters

“I have hobbies like writing a diary, listening to music, painting, reading good books and sharing my feelings with my friends. All these activities help me come out of the stress.”

Words of wisdom

“I believe that everything is possible if we really want it to happen. Living in the present and putting efforts in what we have, gives immense satisfaction. I believe in dreams, and their power. Somebody has very nicely penned that ‘Dreams are the fuel of life: bigger the dreams, bigger is the life’. I accept it as truth.”

Success mantras

“Dr APJ Abdul Kalam has defined the steps to success in the limited possible words: 1. Set the goal 2. Acquire the knowledge continuously 3. Hard work 4. Perseverance. I really trust that they can lead a person to wherever she/he wants to go.”

Message to the government:

“I really want the government to provide financial help to capable students. Finance should not act as a barrier when somebody really wants to achieve something valuable for people and the nation. I also faced the same situation but thanks to my family members who supported me I am here today.”