Lipstick to Joystick

The winds of change have affected every facet of our life. And the choice of professions by the women reveals the changing attitudes and life-styles.

Besides going in for teaching, medicine and nursing, today the professional options of the young ladies include the money market, choreography, public relations and defense services with even combat flying roles in the Indian Air Force. Cheryl Dutta, an IAF chopper (helicopter) pilot had rightly said, “Nothing is male dominated any more.”

It was the status of an officer, the pride of the uniform and the glamourous life-style which had inspired Flight Lieutenant Manisha Ksheersagar, Senior Education Officer, Air Force Station, Pune, to join the Indian Air Force. While for Flight Lieutenant Ela Maiti, Aeronautical Engineer(L), the charm lay in the novelty of the job.

The IAF has a very scientific and deep selection process involving tough psychological, physical and medical tests. The strenuous training can vary from six to eighteen months. The job invariably demands duties through long hours, at night and at times, even on holidays. The places for posting are spread all over the country, be it in places with amenities or remote areas like deserts or high mountains. No disparity exists between the male and female officers.

Presently the induction of the lady officers is for Short Service Commission (SSC). However, there is an option to convert it to a permanant one after the initial stipulated term.

In the view of Group Captain PC Sharma, Chief Administrative Officer, Air Force Station, Pune, lady officers are treated at par with their male colleagues. However, in some cases extra protection is known to have been given to them.

“I have no problem in coping up with my male associates, I am perfectly comfortable working with them,” says Flight Lieutenant Ksheersagar.

Though the majority of the male officers in the IAF support and encourage their female counterparts, at times they are hesitant to give women a chance. I have been exposed to various jobs besides my own portfolio. And I have been able to come up to the expectations of my seniors.”

Group Captain RR Bhardwaj, Chief Engineering Officer, states, “Initially there were inhibitions. People, who have not worked with women have a typical mind set and may still be prejudiced. But now it has become a fact of life.”

Manisha Ksheersagar denies having ever faced male chauvinism. But she does feel that the women in the forces are at times treated as being decorative. But basically it is a tough life.

Air Commodore Harish Masand, Air Officer Commanding, states, “The lady officers too, have to cope up with the frequent temporary duties, constant postings and at times late night working hours. Flying Officer Vandana Hatwal, Station Security Officer, has to float around in the Gypsy with her male sub-ordinates to carry out the security checks at odd hours during the night. But, then this falls under her routine job.”

Nevertheless, the lady officers love the Air Force life which they find to be like a compact family. Opting for forces as a career has helped the women to gain confidence, to adjust everywhere and to become more open on the social front.

Air Commodore Masand is all praise for the lady officers working under him. He feels, “They are not only performing well but are even better than their male counterparts.”

Group Captain Bhardwaj asserts that it is premature to offer a concrete opinion as regards their long term working calibre and the efficiency for the kind of jobs they are in." When you want numbers to speak, it has to be a large number from statistical perspective".

Full of confidence Tarannum, asserts, “There is nothing which a male officer has done that I can’t do”.

This kind of belief in self has inspired the women to walk shoulder to shoulder with the man in every arena of life.

Air Force Station, Pune boasts of ten lady officers posted here presently with most of them holding the key portfolios like Senior Medical Officer, Station Adjutant, Station Security Officer or Senior Education Officer.

Gender equations are being disturbed as the women are breaking new grounds. The Indian Air Force, which till now had ladies only in the Medical branch has at last opened its gates for their induction in the officers’ cadre in many other branches too. The time is not far when we have another Jhansi Ki Rani’ not on a horse, but in a fighter combat aircraft flying high to touch the sky with glory.