Kochi: Sub-Lieutenant Shivangi of the Indian Navy became Monday first naval woman pilot and joined operational duties in the presence of top naval officials at its base here. “It is a very proud and different feeling for me,” Shivangi told reporters here.
Fulfilling her long-cherished dream, Shivangi received her ‘qualification wings’ from the chief of Southern Naval Command Vice-Admiral AK Chawla. “I have been craving for this for a long time. It is a great feeling,” added Shivangi. She joined the Indian Navy on completion of operational training here.
Hailing from Muzzafarpur in Bihar, Shivangi will be flying the Naval Dornier surveillance aircraft. As part of her training, Shivangi has flown Pilatus PC 7 Mk II, Basic Trainer at AFA and completed Dornier Conversion with the Indian Navy in Kochi. She would continue her training at INAS 550, the Dornier squadron at INS Garuda, to become a fully operational pilot on Maritime Reconnaissance (MR) aircraft.
Later, interacting with the media, Shivangi informed that she started dreaming of becoming a pilot ever since she saw a chopper carrying a minister landed in the neighbourhood of her grandparents’ place in Bihar during her childhood.
Shivangi recalled that everyone in the area had gathered around to see the helicopter and she was one among them. She got ‘super-inspired’ when she saw the helicopter and the man flying it. Shivangi also stated that her family supported her in her endeavour and never questioned her wish to join defence forces. “In fact, they were proud,” Shivangi said.
Shivangi, who joined the force just two days ahead of the Navy Day, also thanked the Navy staff and Qualified Flying Instructors (QFIs) for their support.” They have always encouraged me,” she said.
PTI