2023-11-09 08:11:33
If women get freedom and support of their loved ones, they can scale the heights of the sky. Sarla Thakral had done something similar in 1936. At the age of 21, she flew wearing a saree and became the first female pilot in India to do so.
Do you know which country has the largest number of female pilots in the world? This country is India. We have the highest proportion of female pilots than any other country. Women rule the sky here. There are about 12.4% women pilots in Indian airlines, which is much higher than the world average of 5.4%.
India’s first female pilot Sarla Thakral had given these wings to the women of the country to fly in the sky.
Sarla Thakral was born on August 8, 1914 in Delhi. At the age of just 16, she got married to pilot PD Sharma. People fondly called Sarla as Mati. Shortly after their marriage, PD Sharma noticed that his wife Mati had a great curiosity about flying and learning about planes.
Then he decided to give wings to this interest of Mati. With her husband’s support and encouragement, Sarla took training at the Jodhpur Flying Club.
This is how she became the first female pilot
During training, for the first time, he flew a two-seater aircraft named Gipsy Moth in Lahore in the year 1936. It is said about her that, respecting the Indian tradition, she flew the first solo flight wearing a saree.
Sarla Thakral flew a two-seater aircraft named Gipsy Moth in Lahore in 1936.
After passing the flying test, Sarla was ready to become a pilot. Sarala had to experience about 1000 hours of flying to get her first ‘A’ license. She was only 21 years old when she accomplished this feat and became the first woman in India to do so.
After that flight, Sarla had said, “When I flew the plane for the first time, not only my husband, but my father-in-law was also happy and excited. He enrolled me in the flying club. I knew I was stuck in this man’s job, despite being a woman. But I appreciate the men who supported and encouraged me.”
An accident changed life
In the year 1939, when the world was preparing for the Second World War, this period was very challenging for Sarla Thakral. Due to two incidents that happened this year, Sarla’s life changed completely. In the same year, Sarla’s husband PD Sharma died in a plane crash.
Sarla’s troubles did not end here. Due to the outbreak of World War II, he had to leave his training midway. Sarla was preparing to become a commercial pilot at that time. But even in these adverse circumstances, Sarla Thakral did not give up. Sarla Thakral
Started the second innings of life with courage
He completed his studies in Fine Arts and Painting from Mayo School of Arts (now National College of Arts), Lahore. After studying fine arts and painting, she came to Delhi. After coming to Delhi, he started his new career with painting and designing.
After independence in 1947, when Sarla came to Delhi, she established herself as an entrepreneur. In the year 1948, she married RP Thakral. Sarla had a daughter from her second marriage also.
Sarla Thakral died on 15 March 2008 at the age of 91. Sarla Thakral’s achievements are inspiring to Indian women. He proved how one can turn one’s dreams into reality.
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