Loud applause and cheers greeted Squadron Leader Sneha Shekhawat as the commentator at the Republic Day function announced that she is the first woman pilot to lead the IAF contingent in the 63-year-old history of the parade.
Shekhawat, an Avro pilot posted at the Hindon air base, belongs to Sikar in Rajasthan. As she led the 144 members of the IAF contingent, Shekhawat was assisted by three other women Flying Officers — Heena Pore, Anupam Chaudhary and Pooja Negi.
“It is definitely a great feeling of pride and honour to lead the IAF contingent, to march on Rajpath with a contingent of 144 airmen. I think is a matter of great honour for anybody. I feel very proud, as proud as any officer who would have been given this opportunity would feel,” Shekhawat.
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Explaining how she got selected, Shekhawat said that a regular selection procedure for leading the IAF contingent at the Republic Day parade is followed — where names of several officers is recommended from various units.
“I was also a part of the IAF’s contingent during last year’s Republic Day parade as a supernumerary officer,” Shekhawat said.
Asserting that she always wanted to join the defence forces, Shekhawat said she “wanted to fly” and so, the Indian Air Force was “a natural career option”.
Recalling the Republic Day celebrations during her childhood, Shekhawat said, “I think getting up early in the morning and staying glued to the TV set to watch the entire parade was the whole idea,” she said.
source: IE
