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Journalism of Courage
Something about the seven fallen astronauts from Columbia touches everyone. Perhaps it is because those brave men and women were the last unspoiled heroes 8212; untouched by scandal, innocent of the taint that tarnishes so many in politics, in business and even sport. But, even as they mourn the spectacular loss, an undaunted chorus can already be heard rising in the US 8212; that the tragedy must not be allowed to weigh down the exploration of new frontiers, that despite what happened on Saturday, work and adventure must go on. Amid posthumous television images of the smiling, bright-eyed crew of Columbia, politicians are already echoing the ambitious challenge of George H.W. Bush in 1989 to put a man on Mars. Cut to Haryana, India, home state of Kalpana Chawla, where the state government declared a holiday on Monday.
The Chautala government8217;s gesture is as unsurprising as it is jarring. The state has a longer-than-most list of public holidays and the latest announcement underlines that it is only wise to hold the counting 8212; that list is still growing. In addition to the regular holidays, in Haryana you officially get the day off on 8212; to name just a few 8212; February 6 on account of Sir Chottu Ram Jayanti, September 23 for being Haryana Heroes Martyrdom Day, November 1 for being Haryana Day. It was to be expected perhaps that Chawla8217;s death would become the occasion to strike another day off the work calendar, yet it is impossible not to wonder: did no one in the Haryana officialdom see the sheer lack of fit? Between the grit and determination Chawla embodied, her courageous struggle to defy gravity and touch the stars, and its commemoration by a laying down of tools?
