Sub-lieutenant Shivangi became the first woman pilot for the Indian Navy. She was commissioned into the Indian Navy last year after her initial training. 

"My father is a teacher. My grandfather was a farmer. No one in my family has ever joined the defense forces. My parents have always supported me in whatever I wanted to do, whether it was pursuing Mechanical Engineering or joining the Indian Navy," the pilot told NDTV.

She will join the DOFT course in mid-January 2020 prior to joining an operational Maritime Reconnaissance squadron, which is mostly into search and surveillance. 

"My Commanding Officer told me during my training that the aircraft knows no gender. And that I must see myself as a trainee, not as a woman or a man. I have got immense support from all my seniors and colleagues," she said.

With her appointment, she has not only broken the glass ceiling but now the sky is her limit. With Shivangi becoming the first woman Pilot for the Indian Navy, it’ll work as an example for other aspiring women who are pursuing their careers in the Navy. She has carved her own niche and created a milestone for gender diversity. 

With her appointment, government officials, business leaders should bring back the spotlight on hiring more women in their respective domains. The Indian Army, Navy and Air Force are doing their bit to get women on-field and on-board which is the reason more girls are inclined to work in these sectors. 

As Facebook, COO, Sheryl Sandberg had said, “It’s time to cheer on girls and women who want to sit at the table!” So as leaders of the corporate world, let us cheer on those young girls with big dreams in their eyes, those women who’re juggling careers and homes, those amazing ladies with an iron will, to become experts in their fields and encourage them to become the leaders they were born to be.” 

Image source: DH Deccanherald