Columbia families in Mumbai to spread Kalpana’s message

Remembering Chawla’s plan to visit India after wrapping up the Columbia mission, the families of shuttle pilot Willie McCool and payload specialist Ilan Ramon spoke highly of Chawla’s vision for India’s youth.

‘‘Kalpana was a walking encyclopaedia, my husband always said she knew everything about anything,’’ said Rona Ramon.

At the Bombay Scottish School in Mahim, where they spoke to students about their interaction with Chawla, Ramon, Willie McCool’s wife Atilana, their son Cameron and crew secretary were an emotional lot. ‘‘Kalpana — or KC as we fondly called her — had a great rapport with children. My son just adored her,’’ said Ramon.

They described Chawla as lively, full of humour and ‘‘always a teamplayer’’. Despite their diverse nationalities and backgrounds, the crew often celebrated one another’s festivals. ‘‘KC just dug into the sweets,’’ said McCool.

Cameron revealed his freshest soft-spot — jalebis, following a heavy Indian lunch. Brimming with pride about his father, he admitted: ‘‘I’ve lived my father’s life through the stories he narrated. So no aerospace career for me.’’

Fielding questions about the pre-mission jitters, Ramon said: ‘‘There was a lot of excitement, with special guests and family members coming together. It was like a wedding without a groom.’’