Video Editor: Mohd Irshad Alam
This International Women’s day, India bats for gender equality. In keeping with the day’s significance, no-frills career SpiceJet has appointed 45 new female pilots in Gurugram, Haryana.
According to TOI, the budget carrier is hiring women for it’s Boeing 737 and Bombardier Q400 fleet and wants to fill up one-third of it’s cockpit with women pilots.
In a statement, SpiceJet said, “The airline has extended an open invite to women pilots across the country, as part of the recruitment program which is scheduled for 7-8 March 2018. It is open for both captains and first officers, having a valid commercial pilot license.”
Hired in a profession dominated by men, Rupali Pimpli said it “feels beautiful to stand equally with men.” She added that SpiceJet has made all women.
I am proud to be a women. Today, women have got an equal footing with men. It’s a beautiful feeling. I am very happy with SpiceJet. By giving us this opportunity, SpiceJet has made us all proud. They have made us believe that we are not less than any male pilot.Rupali Pimpli
At present, SpiceJet has around 800 pilots, out of which about 140 are women. Freshly-recruited pilot Jahnvi Singh said, “We rarely get such opportunities for women, especially in the Indian Aviation sector. It's very big thing what SpiceJet has done for us.”
Spicejet Chairman Ajay Singh says the airline plans to expand operations and add new destinations in the next three years, and for that a greater number of pilots are required. There’s no harm, he adds, in trying to aim for 50% women pilots in SpiceJet.
Not far behind, the Central Railways too had good news for women. It appointed an all-women staff to operate the Mumbai Central-Ahmedabad Shatabdi Express.
Women staff in Central Railways feel proud to have been assigned the job. Even female passengers felt empowered at the initiative.
It’s a wonderful experience.It feels good to see that on Women’s Dayan all-women staff is here to check our tickets and take care of the train.Passenger
(Hey there, lady! What makes you laugh? Do you laugh at sexism, patriarchy, and misogyny? Do 'sanskaari' stereotypes crack you up? This Women's Day, join The Quint's Ab Laugh Naari campaign. Pick up that beer, say cheers, and send us photographs or videos of you laughing out loud at buriladki@thequint.com.)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)