February 1, 2003, marks the day when Kalpana Chawla left Earth forever, becoming one with the stars for eternity. On that day, she inspired millions of girls to dream big and reach for the impossible - and I was one of them.

I still remember when someone asked me what I wanted to be in the future, and without hesitation, I replied, “I want to be like Kalpana Chawla.” That moment sparked my passion for exploring science. From school to college, university, and even today, I have never doubted my path. Entering the world of science is one thing, but staying in it is far from easy. Rejections, challenges, politics, and competition make it even harder to persist but much easier to walk away.

Everyone faces moments when giving up seems like the easiest choice. But in those times, stay strong and reflect on how far you’ve come. This journey is not just about hard work—it’s about perseverance. Success will come, sooner or later.

Menstruation is a normal and openly discussed topic in Western countries, yet in places like India, it remains a taboo and a source of shame. Despite efforts by celebrities through films and social workers striving to normalize it, there is still a long way to go. Shockingly, even well-educated individuals believe that menstruating women are impure and should not touch anything in the kitchen - especially pickles! (disgusting...isn't it ??). They are also restricted from entering temples to offer prayers. Many girls feel ashamed to acknowledge that they are menstruating, and most teenage boys have little to no understanding of what menstruation even is.

During my vacation, I conducted an awareness session with girls at a village school in Punjab (India), along with their mothers, to understand the current situation. To my surprise, many mothers expressed a desire to change these outdated beliefs. However, they revealed that it was often their mothers-in-law who imposed these restrictions, forcing them to do the same to their daughters. Seeing these women - who may not fit the conventional definition of “modern” - stand up for their daughters was truly inspiring. This is exactly what we need! Change begins at home, and if every household takes responsibility, societal attitudes will shift naturally over time.

Another interesting request came from these mothers - they asked me to conduct a session with teenage boys. They shared that it is difficult to explain to their sons why their sisters need rest for a few days every month or why they, as mothers, become extra protective during that time. I was encouraged by their suggestion, and next time, I plan to organize a session specifically for boys to help break the cycle of ignorance and stigma surrounding menstruation.

I was always the student who brought home top marks and proudly shared them with my parents. But during my higher education, I faced an experience that changed me. I failed one subject, and it wasn’t my fault. It stung deeply, even though I was an adult by then. It was only a 20-mark test, and many of my friends and well-wishers told me to let it go and focus on the next term. Though they all knew the failure was unjust and due to personal bias, they encouraged me to move on.

There was, however, one professor – the head of our department at the time – who took the time to review my exam sheet and realized I had been failed intentionally. He supported me and encouraged me not to stay silent about this. Together, we fought for justice. After a few months of persistence, that professor rechecked my exam in front of me, the supportive professor, and an official from the institution. I was finally awarded the marks I deserved.

Looking back, I am proud of myself for fighting for what was right and grateful that I carry no regrets from this incident. Such incidents can occur at any stage of life. In my experience, there may be no way to completely prevent injustice, but what truly matters is that you stand up for yourself. Nothing should hold you back from fighting against wrongdoing. At times, your opponent may be stronger, but that should never silence you. This very incident shaped me into who I am today. I am grateful for how it transformed my thought process, making me bolder than I ever was before.