Intro: Aero India 2015 showcases 'Make in India' and Emergence of Women Power.
The tenth edition of Aero India being held in Air Force Station, Yelahanka in Bengaluru between February 18 and 22, exhibits latest technologies in the aviation sector and all the modern aircrafts. Flying of Su-30MKI, Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, Light Combat Helicopter, F-16, Rafale and Indian Air Force's Sarang aerobatic team comprising ALH Dhruv helicopters are the major attractions in the Premier Aerospace Exhibition. Apart from this regular feature, there was an added aura of 'Make in India' concept in the exhibition halls and a sense of 'women power' pride in the premises.
| Flight Lieutenant Nehmet : “I am extremely happy that there are determined women who come here and say that they want to make a career in defence. Those days are gone when defence was perceived to be a job meant only for men. Now, young girls point out that they want to fly fighter Aircrafts.” |
Representative of one of the companies which supplies GPS based safety equipments for Helicopters said that their company uses indigenous technology and manufactures products using locally available materials since its inception, is happy that Government is promoting 'Make in India' mantra.
Compared to previous editions of Aero India show, there is an increase in participation of Indian companies which manufacture and supply products to Indian Defence establishments. Elated representatives of such companies in the exhibition halls were seen actively explaining about their products to visitors.
| Young pilots, Ankita Bali (R) from Hyderabad and Neha Jaiswal (L) from Delhi watching the flights in demonstration at Aero India-2015 |
Endorsing his 'Make in India' chant, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had in his inaugural speech on February 18 proclaimed that this is the largest ever Aero India while referring to enthusiasm of the industry inside and outside India. Modi essentially said defence manufacturing is at the heart of his 'Make in India' campaign and for this the government is willing to create a special eco-system, ease licensing and remove foreign direct investment restrictions if transfer of high technology is involved.
“We have the reputation as the largest importer of defence equipment in the world. But this is one area we would not to be Number one. The country should work towards increasing domestic procurement from 40 per cent to 70 per cent in five years,” Modi said seriously.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar added that the Government is planning a separate policy for ‘Make in India’ concept to boost manufacturing sector in the country. However, apart from 'Make in India' mantra there was another unusual sense of pride 'Women power' which went noticed at the Aero India with women visitors, women exhibitors, women enterprises and women acrobats. The two women acrobats, who performed jaw-dropping acrobatics atop the wings of two airborne aircraft Breitling on the first day, reflected the mood that women are equal to men. Air Force Wives Welfare Association, core welfare organisation, for the ladies of the Air Force did a brisk business in its stall selling household items and paintings.
Yashodhara Raje Scindia, Minister of Commerce and Industries, Government of Madhya Pradesh actively interacted with various representatives both from India and abroad on February 19 and met political leaders including Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh who arrived in the Aero Show for an interaction meet with investors and media.
“I will meet as many key people as possible here and I am busy throughout the day with series of appointments,” Yashodhara said while speaking to Organiser. When asked about emergence of women power in defence sector, she smiled and said that she will comment later after learning more about the number of top women officers involved in organising or participating at the Aero India event.
Wing Commander Jasmin Kaur in the Air Force wing was busy co-ordinating meetings of pioneers of Business establishments from foreign countries and Leaders of political parties from many countries with the Air Chief Marshal and senior officers. She earned a name for herself for executing very important meetings in ease and 'women power' was evident.
Veena, Post Master General, Business Development, Karnataka Postal Circle and her colleague received appreciation from central Ministers and top bureaucrats for exhibiting postal stamps in a professional manner in a stall in the exhibition hall. The quick release function of exclusive Aero India stamps on February 19 in the make shift office of Ministry of Defence also proved that women are more efficient.
Young pilots, Neha Jaiswal from Delhi and Ankita Bali from Hyderabad who took part in the recently held Republic Day Parade in Delhi, were keenly watching special performances by experienced pilots from India and abroad and said they were thrilled to be in Aero show. They said soon women pilots in defence sector will reach 50:50 preposition as the trend of women joining Air Force is rising.
Flight Lieutenant Nehmet was bubbling with energy in conducting quiz program in the Air Force publicity cell for the students who had come in batches throughout the day. She said she eats, live and sleep Air Force and encourage anyone especially women to join Air Force. She said around 3500 school children who are interested in making a career in Air Force are registered to participate in the quiz, video presentation and counselling sessions during Aero India 2015.
Though Age and Educational qualification criteria for women are the same as applicable to male candidates, Women are serious in getting into all the three branches of Air Force, Flying Branch, Technical Branch and Ground duty Branches.
R Guru Prasad (The writer is a Bengaluru based correspondent)
