Women have been slowly, but surely, breaking the glass ceiling and emerging on top.
Just like Indian Air Force Wing Commander Shaliza Dhami, who became the first Indian female officer to be appointed as the Flight Commander (the second in command) of a flying unit.
Indian Air Force’s Wing Commander S Dhami has become the first female officer in the country to become the Flight Commander of a flying unit. She took over as Flight Commander of a Chetak helicopter unit at Hindon air base. Flight Commander is the second in command of the unit. pic.twitter.com/JRTzYATGMP
— ANI (@ANI) August 27, 2019
Shaliza, who wanted to be a pilot since she was in 9th grade, has been serving the IAF for 15 years – and this is not the only first in her illustrious cap. She was also the first female flying instructor, and the first woman officer to get permanent commission of the flying branch.
From L to R: Sqn Ldr Shaliza Dhami, Wg Cdr K Maheshpriya, Sqn Ldr Nivedita Choudhary, Wg Cdr SK Minhas, Sqn Ldr Anioushka Lomas. pic.twitter.com/06C1wNgHuf
— DefenceLover (@Military_Indian) April 19, 2017
Dhami, who flies choppers, took over as Flight Commander of Chetak helicopter unit at Hindon airbase in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.
Many people took to Twitter to congratulate her for this achievement:
2/n 1thing all IAF pilots will agree unanimously “There is no job as tough as Flight Commander ”. This one appointment each officer will cherish throughout life & good to know Shaliza has joined the gang. I am most grateful, I trained Shaliza, my pupils made me who I am.
— Nitin Welde (@nitinwelde) August 26, 2019
Today is a historic day for Indian Air Force.
— Subodh Kumar Srivastava (@SriSubodhKmr) August 27, 2019
Wing Commander Shaliza Dhami has taken over as Flight Commander of an operational unit. She is first lady officer who got a permanent commission and first lady QFI too. @IAF_MCC pic.twitter.com/E7xUgsZT0D
Here’s wishing Wg Cdr Shaliza Dhami a professionally enriching, satisfying and most enjoyable Command! The skies beckon…may you soar high! God bless you! Jai Hind
— Lt Gen D R Soni (Retd) (@Skoybster) August 27, 2019
Woman, no less than Man!
— Shobha Karandlaje (@ShobhaBJP) August 27, 2019
Wing Commander Shaliza Dhami proves it by becoming first woman Flight Commander of a flying unit!
She is the 1st lady officer to get permanent commission & also the 1st lady Qualified Flying Instructor.
Proud of you, Kudos!#NaariShakti pic.twitter.com/sPl9cmjr5M
Her achievement is going to give wings to aspirations of so many others. She came into news in 2017 as the first woman flying instructor in @IAF_MCC Congratulations on the new feather in your cap Wg Cdr Shaliza Dhami. Fly high forever! 🇮🇳🙏#ShalizaDhami https://t.co/TYiBtMmkN1
— Vani Chauhan 🇮🇳 (@Vani_Chauhan) August 27, 2019
@IAF_MCC opens its doors to women for command positions: Wing Commander Shaliza Dhami is its 1st flight commander of an operational unit pic.twitter.com/9ShyqAGYN4
— Vishal Thapar (@thaparvishal) August 27, 2019
It’s a historic day, indeed!
