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Addressing a press conference in Lohegaon air base after successfully completing a record sortie in Sukhoi 30 Mki aircraft, President Patil said: “They are some technical requirements and qualifications to be completed. And also, one has to study the situation, which need to be faced by women pilots. The government is considering the matter.”
“Let met tell you, I have full faith in our women and their capacity to perform a given assignment. They have done extremely well in all fields. I am confident that the government will take an appropriate decision,” she added.
“Initially, there were no women in the armed forces. Now, we have. In the same way, we have women pilots for helicopters, commercial aircrafts. Now, the government is thinking on the lines of recruiting them as fighter pilots, I am sure that a proper decision will be taken,” she said.
Earlier in the day, 74-year-old, Patil created history by becoming the first serving female head of state to fly in an Indian Air Force Sukhoi-30 MKi fighter aircraft.
She also congratulated the defence force for their technical expertise, and having an advanced sophisticated way in handling defence equipments.
“The country should be proud of defence forces, their will to sacrifice for the country, and have faith in their ability to face any challenge,” Patil said.
Commenting on her flight, she said: I was confident since day one and I am confident now also. Practicing yoga also helped me and I also followed the instructions given by the air force officials carefully.”
President Patil replied the questions in English, Hindi and Marathi languages.
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Ms Patil is the President of the whole nation and is not there only to be concerned with women's demands alone. There are a number of able bodied and intellectual young men who are eager to enter the air force and be trained as fighter pilots to defend the nation. How is that their yearnings are ignored and the President is only touting for the women? The aspect of election to fighter piloting and general recruitment to the air force are best left to experienced air force commanders and pilot training academeys. Prior to assigning an expensive machine like a fighter aircraft to the control of a pilot, he or she must prove his or her skill not just in flying but above all in attacking and evading enemy air craft and retaining composure when met with intense ground fire. There are qualified people in the force to assess those abilities. Nation's safety should not be taken for granted merely to accommodate feminist demands.
The point she is trying to make that India has the heart and the open mind to have women IAF pilots. By all means it was a big news in Russian defense news as to how this is keeping India and Russia defense ties at a higher level. Kudos to our President for taking this step on behalf of Indian women. To me this is also in the Spirit of Vande Materam .
what for are you greeting this extravaganza my friend? Air force is not there to give fun trips to the presidents. What is the achievement? Let her do some meaningful work rather than acting like a page 3 figure. It is a waste of precious time of our armed forces personal.
The family of this president is mired in corruption and power-play. There is not a single positive contribution made by this president to India. This so-called flying a fighter jet is a farce. Some of the newspapers are behaving as if this farce is like Charles Lindbergh's maiden flight across the Atlantic. Sonia should rein in and stop this nonsense. What a shame!
Dear President our Airforce flies another versetile Aircraft 1.e MIG 21 BIS, these are being mishandled but with you deciding to take a flight in MIG 21 would certainly boost the Confidence of PILOTS who fly MIG 21. JAY HO President PRATIBHA PATIL
we r suppose to believe another action drama than to relay on experiences of our air force officials.shame to people of this land who are living in fools paradise
Dear Ramesh, Your comment was the equivalent of "empty calories". You sound like an inarticulate child. Regards, Masud
Really miss Presidents like Dr. Abdul Kalam and Venkataraman.
Who pays for the whims and fancy of this puppet-Prez? Us poor tax-payers, obviously!!!
It is difficult to understand why the presidents, defence ministers etc have to fly in fighter aircarft now and then by spending our money. Our president wants to offer gratitute to someone by addressing the media in a particular language. She has forgotten that she is the prsident of India not of a state.She is sending a wrong signal to the our troubled country.This detaste us as Indian.
Occupied co-pilot seat in sukhoi with help of Air force, co-pilot of country with the help of Italy force.
Now, take a lonnnnng flight in a MiG21.
Well President do you know how to drive a car? you need to prove yourself first and then talk for others. First you do your job properly? Just going around in luxury VIP fighter jets? As done no favour to the country. Well you should remember the congress how they got ill wealth from the bofors deals and the soldiers suffering at the border with no proper equipments. Have you check all this or are you wasting your time and filling your pockets.
Why don't these top fellows mind their political manners?She is not supposed to speak out like this.