Girls to fly high: Najma
Imphal: Manipur governor Najma Heptulla on Wednesday said professions should not be gender-specific.
She was addressing a gathering during the celebrations of Girls in Aviation Day organised by the Women in Aviation International (WAI), India chapter, and Lockheed Martin at Classic Grande, Chingmeirong, in Imphal East district on Wednesday.
She said women and girls should be trained in every field, including those considered the domain of men and celebration of Girls in Aviation Day would introduce girls of the state to the wonderful career opportunities that aviation offers.
“Prior to 1970, women were restricted to serve only in support fields such as flight-simulation training, air traffic control and flight attendants in aviation industries. However, after 1970 they are allowed in military training and flying commercial airlines. Their strength is considerably increasing compared to number of women airline pilots across the world,” the governor said.
Lt S. Vijaya Devi of the navy, who got Nari Shakti Puraskar award, said: “Manipuri women and girls have done us proud by excelling in different spheres of life, including sports, art and culture and hospitality among others. The girls of the state can do much more if they are given opportunities through training in every avenue and livelihood programme in line with the Prime Minister’s vision of Beti ki udaan, desh ka swabhimaan”.
The APD, Imphal airport, S.K. Panigrahi, said due to increase in number of air passengers in recent times (17 per cent last year), there is a big scope for India’s youths in the aviation industry.
14/06/18 Ngangbam Indrakanta Singh/Telehgraph