India’s fearless women pilots and officers are reshaping the skies leading missions, flying fighter jet (Photo: AI Generated)
The Air Force of India since time immemorial has been a prize symbol of valour, resilience and strength for the last two or three decades, a remarkable group of women has smashed the glass ceiling, bucked the odds and resting their feet upon the cockpit parapet. These women are not only pilots they are avengers rewriting the narrative of India's military aviation.
Air Marshal Padma Bandopadhyay carved history as the first woman in the Indian Air Force to be appointed to the rank of Air Marshal. A decorated flight surgeon and she helped build a structure for gender inclusion in the armed forces that could hold up under scrutiny by her good work in military medicine and operational readiness.
Gunjan Saxena flew her Cheetah helicopter through the perilous mountainsides evading enemy fire during evacuation and surveillance missions in 1999 in the Kargil War and bestowed with the title of the Kargil Girl, she burst the stereotype of women in armed forces and became a symbol of courage striding into combat.
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Flight Lieutenant Shivangi Singh soared into history as the first female pilot to fly the Rafale, one of the most advanced fighter aircraft the world has ever seen. She is from Varanasi, one could say her journey is an amalgamation of personal grit and changing mentality of the forces.
Wing Commander Deepika Misra is a name synonymous with bravery, became the first gallantry award winner in IAF, the Vayu Sena Medal for her fearless involvement in the flood relief missions. She is an ace helicopter pilot, a qualified flying instructor and also an examiner.
Group Captain Shaliza Dhami was the first woman officer to command a frontline combatant unit in the IAF since then. She had made waves as the first female Flight Commander and setting the gold standard in leadership and operational efficiency.
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Bhawana Kanth gained nationwide recognition as one of the first women to qualify for combat missions. She became the first woman pilot to be showcased in the Republic Day parade tableau and her solo flight of the MiG-21 Bison in 2018 sent a strong message for all aspiring aviators.
Avani Chaturvedi made headlines after becoming the first woman to fly a fighter aircraft solo in India. Her achievement on the MiG-21 Bison became a historic moment in the saga of India's defence and inspiring a generation of women to aim higher.
Squadron Leader Mohana Singh Jitarwal inscribed her life in history as the first woman to fly the indigenous fighter jet Tejas during Tarang Shakti exercise. This was a giant leap for gender representation in India's aerial defence.
Each of these women, through their achievements has changed the realm of possibility for women in defence. Their courage, skill and commitment will inspire the nation and confirm that the sky is never the limit for one that dares to fly.
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