Located in Faridabad, Haryana, the Kalpana Chawla City Park has today become a defining landmark of the city. Whether morning or evening, the place draws a sizeable crowd. People from the surrounding colonies and villages come here to walk, sit and spend some time. Swings have been installed for children, who can be seen playing there. Even during the summer months, people keep visiting the park in the afternoon hours. Labourers too drop by to rest for a while in the middle of their work. For sitting in the open air and spending a few peaceful moments, this park remains people's first choice in the city.
The Spot Was Once Covered in Graves
Amit Kishor Vashisth (53), a PGT Chemistry teacher, recalls that he was born in Ahirwada in Ballabhgarh. The place that people today recognise as Kalpana Chawla City Park did not have a park earlier. It used to be a graveyard, where members of the Muslim community buried the dead, and graves could be seen all around. According to Amit Kishor, the spot was developed into a park in the year 1987. At that time there was no large park within the city where people could sit comfortably or take a stroll. The park was built with the idea of giving ordinary people a better place to be. In its early days the park was laid out very well, and large numbers of people began coming here.
From City Park to Kalpana Chawla City Park
Amit Kishor says the park used to be in very good condition earlier, but with the construction of the elevated bridge now underway, its state has deteriorated a little. Even so, people continue to visit regularly, and the park is still counted among the most important places in the city. According to him, it was initially named simply City Park. Later, its name was changed to Kalpana Chawla City Park. Kalpana Chawla was a daughter of Haryana. She was the first woman of Indian origin to travel into space and a renowned American astronaut. After her death, the park was named Kalpana Chawla City Park in her memory.
A Hub of Social Interaction, Not Just Recreation
Amit Kishor explains that people from all over the city come to this park, including those who work as labourers. On many occasions, when an organisation wants to hold a strike or a protest, people gather right here. Those who travel to the city from nearby villages and need a place to sit also come to this park to pass their time. People have even visited the park to finalise marriage alliances, with the families of the prospective bride and groom sitting here to talk things over. In this way, the place has been not just a spot for outings but also a major centre for social interaction among people.
