Captain Zoya Agarwal, the trailblazing pilot who made headlines as the first female commander to lead an all-female flight crew on the world’s longest air route over the North Pole, has lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent Independence Day speech acknowledging India’s remarkable achievements in the field of aviation. In his address, PM Modi highlighted India’s record number of women pilots in civil aviation as a testament to the nation’s commitment to women-led development and progress across sectors.
Captain Agarwal expressed her pride in India’s status as the country with the highest number of women commercial pilots worldwide. “PM Modi mentioned that India has the highest number of women commercial pilots in the world and I am extremely proud of this fact. This is propelling that women have led developments not only in the aviation sector but also in other sectors,” she said in a video message.
The Prime Minister’s address from the iconic Red Fort marked the 77th Independence Day celebrations. PM Modi’s speech was a celebration of women-led achievements, citing examples from various fields, including aviation and space research. “Today, we can proudly say that India has the maximum number of women pilots in civil aviation,” PM Modi declared, underlining the growing influence of women in shaping the nation’s future.
Captain Agarwal’s journey itself is an embodiment of this progress. In 2021, she commanded an all-female flight crew that made history by flying the world’s longest air route from San Francisco in the United States to Bengaluru in India, crossing the North Pole. This remarkable feat was conducted aboard a Boeing 777 and garnered global attention, showcasing the prowess of women in aviation.
Notably, Captain Agarwal achieved the distinction of being the youngest woman pilot in India to fly a Boeing 777 back in 2013. Her contributions extend beyond the cockpit, as she was chosen to co-pilot the inaugural repatriation flight of the Vande Bharat Mission in May 2020, evacuating Indians from 12 countries during the pandemic.
In addition to her aviation achievements, Captain Agarwal serves as a gender equality spokesperson at the United Nations (UN), advocating for female empowerment and inspiring youth to pursue their dreams. Her accomplishments earned her a place in the prestigious San Francisco-based aviation museum, where her achievements stand as a testament to the remarkable journey of Indian women in aviation.
Prime Minister Modi also highlighted initiatives for women’s empowerment, such as plans to train women in Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to operate and repair drones, thereby opening new avenues in technology and agriculture sectors. The government’s commitment to women-led development is evident in these forward-looking measures.
As India continues to progress on the path of women-led development, Captain Zoya Agarwal’s achievements serve as an inspiring beacon of what is possible when gender equality is championed and barriers are shattered.
Sources By Agencies
