New Delhi: Women in Aviation International (WAI), India Chapter celebrated Girls in Aviation Day across the country, from the 20th – 26th of September 2017. Girls in Aviation Day are celebrated with the objective to spread awareness about various job opportunities in the aviation industry not being restricted to being a pilot or flight attendants only. The platform was also used to launch a special booklet called – Aviation Jobs, designed to give information on various job profiles in aviation.
The program was attended by Guruprasad Mohapatra, Chairman, Airport Authority of India, Ms. Radha Bhatia, President WAI (India Chapter), Amber Dubey, Partner and Head, Aerospace and Defense, KPMG India, Neelam Pratap Rudy, VP WAI (India Chapter) and WAI (India Chapter) members. The day was celebrated by exposing more than 120 girls, ages 12-18 to actual aircrafts like Lear Jet, Cessna, Ralley and Pushpak at the hanger and finally with an exhilarating session on a simulator.
Radha Bhatia President WAI (India Chapter) said, "With the global celebration we aim to empower more and more Indian girls with the requisite skill sets to take aviation as a viable career option.
Girls on Tuesday experienced a special day that may steer the course of their lives towards aviation & all this in a supportive, exciting and a fun filled enviornment. With the successful celebration of the International Girls in Aviation Day, WAI India Chapter aims to launch scholarship programs for young deserving girls with support from industry and the Civil Aviation Ministry".
NeelamPratap Rudy, Vice President, Women in Aviation International (WAI) India Chapter said, "Girls in Aviation Day is set to lead women empowerment in the sphere of Aviation Industry. Personal Inspiration by successful women aviators as role models and mentors can be instrumental in reaching out to the younger generation. With Aviation expansion plans in India, I foresee a sharp rise in jobs and women conquering aviation technology and being change agents in the industry."
The India Chapter comprises of a group of women professionals from various sectors of aviation. The Chapter aims to make aviation as a viable career choice for all young girls. It promotes forays out of the age-old 'glamour' quotient that may encompass flight attendants and pilots.
Women in Aviation International (WAI) is a 13,000+ worldwide member, which includes astronauts, corporate pilots, maintenance technicians, air traffic controllers, business owners, educators, journalists, flight attendants, high school and university students, air show performers, airport managers and many others.
WAI provides year-round resources to assist women in aviation and to encourage young women to consider aviation as a career. WAI also offers educational outreach programs to educators, aviation industry members and young people nationally and internationally.