Reality they say is stranger than fiction. Who would have thought that two civilian women - one a mother of two - could have co-piloted an AN-32 aircraft of the Indian Air Force?
Thanks to the day and age of reality television, two civilian women not only got a taste of the Force's life up-close and personal, but also a chance to actually be in the pilot's seat and fly.
"I think my brush with the Air Force has changed my focus from me to us. I think as a civilian, you do not have an agenda beyond yourself or your family. I think I have become a little more patriotic now," says Anuradha Rana who was among the top five finalists on National Geographic's Mission Udaan.
Mission Udaan is a reality show that gives civilians a peek-a-boo into the IAF. The finalists in the series underwent 40 days of training with the air-warriors.
"I have learnt to be prepared for any eventuality," says this 23-year-old who is pursuing MSc from Delhi University.
"The Air Force has given me a talisman that I follow in every activity that I do. It helped me during two challenging mission. One of them required us to jump into sea and be pulled up by a helicopter. I did not know how to swim. I conquered my fear and completed the task with top honours."
"The other point where the mantra came to my rescue was the para-jump from 4,000 feet. I have to admit that it was not easy to get off the ramp into thin air. But I did it and felt like a bird in flight," she added.
Gurleen Kaur, married to a civilian and a mother of two, says, "There is a code of conduct and etiquette for everything you do. It is the discipline and time-management skills that make you successful in whatever you do."
Kaur feels that these skills should be made a part of the school curriculum even for civilian children so that they have an overall rounded personality. "This will make them more successful in the various spheres of life. Children with parents in the armed forces gain the rich and diverse cultural and social experiences that they gain," she asserts.
Despite coming from a military background, Gurleen had a perception that Air force was all about glamour, smart uniforms and flying. But after having spent around 40 days with the IAF, she realized that the IAF was about strict discipline, presence of mind, hard work, toil and the supreme sacrifice, if need be.
Kaul adds that she realised that behind every fighter pilot is a team that makes his mission successful. "Without the Air Traffic Control, the pilot is without eyes."
Both Kaur and Gurleen say seeing the operational Air Force Base at Siachen was one of the high-points. "I was amazed that man could survive such extreme conditions. There is no vegetation and no family, just snow."
Gurleen says that more women should join the armed forces as it is an excellent platform for setting life on the right track, meeting new people, making new friends and serving the nation directly. You lead a more successful life.
Air Vice Marshal Sumit Mukherjee says, "The Air Force gives an equal opportunity to women. We understand that the physical ability is slightly different, but that is the only concession we make. As of now they cannot become fighter pilots but can take on all other responsibilities. This is only because the cost of training a fighter pilot is about 2.5 crore. The returns come in about 5 years and women at the moment can enroll only for the short commission service."
