India is a land where historical moments usually happens. This time we got our seventh female fighter pilot named Priya Sharma, and the third one from Rajasthan. She passed out of Indian Air Force Academy, on Saturday along with 23 women and 115 men. She is making us proud with her achievements. Earlier, the first and second women from the same state who made India proud were Mohana Singh and Pratibha.

It was a Combined Graduation Parade on Saturday which had collectively 139 flying cadets graduating from Air Force Academy out of which 24 were women including Priya. She completed her first and second stages of training at Dundigal and Hakimpet in July 2017 and her third stage of training will begin in January next year at Bidar Air Force Station. She got her graduation certificate from Army Chief Bipin Rawat.

She did her schooling from IIIT Kota, her father who was posted as ATC officer in Air Force Station, inspired her the most. Priya said, “I used to see dad perform. I got motivation from that,” according to her Air Force is the best place to see adventures and explore to serve your nation.

“As a fighter pilot, I would say, you should give it a try, it is definitely worth it,” she also talked about the inequality in the state and said, “The case of us three (Mohana, Pratibha, and Priya) should be an inspiration for other girls from Rajasthan to join the Defence Forces.”

Mohana from Jhunjhunu made history by becoming the first fighter pilot of India and was joined by Avani Chaturvedi from Madhya Prades. And the second lady from the same state Pratibha from Rajgarh was commissioned into the aerial combat role in IAF.

Priya is an inspiration to the youngsters who think twice while opting such career options. We wish her all the luck for her journey to serve the nation.

Published by Shifa Naz on 18 Dec 2018