While the country is still mourning the loss of its 44 brave men, women in India are gearing up. They are wanting to work shoulder to shoulder to ensure the safety of their country.
For a very long time, only men were fortunate enough to sacrifice their lives for Mother India, but now things are changing.
Women are scripting history by entering into armed forces by shattering the entry barriers set since the inception!
And one such history was scripted on Friday by Flight Lieutenant Hina Jaiswal by becoming the first Indian Woman Flight Engineer to be inducted by the Indian Air Force(IAF).
Though Friday was labelled as the black day for India because of Pulwama attack, there was one silver lining in the dark clouds that we shouldn’t ignore.
Till last year, the Flight Engineer branch was exclusively the men’s domain. But everything changed on Friday!
The statement released by Defence Ministry that gave us a reason to be proud and happy:
“Flight Lieutenant Hina Jaiswal has scripted history by becoming the first Indian woman flight engineer after completing the course at the Yelahanka Air Force Station”
It further added:
“A flight engineer is a member of an aircraft’s flight crew who monitors and operates its complex aircraft systems requiring a specialised skill set”
In its recent attempt to become gender inclusive, IAF has inducted women as pilots to operate military aircraft and choppers.
Basking in the glory of her achievement, Hina shared how it feels when your long due dream comes true:
“I am enthusiastic about my stint in aviation and look forward to embrace the challenges in the service.”
“My achievement as the first woman flight engineer is a dream come true as I had aspired from childhood to wear a soldier’s uniform and take to the sky as an aviator.”
The only daughter of DK Jaiswal and Anita, Hina would now be posted to operational helicopter units of the IAF.
In the unit, she would be required to operate in demanding and stressful conditions. These conditions can range from the icy heights of the Siachen Glacier to the seas of the Andamans.
