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India’s first combat jet pilot Flt. Lt. Avni Chaturvedi is inspired by Kalpana Chawla, Kalam
New Delhi, March 7 (IANS) Inspired by late NASA astronaut Kalpana Chawla, Flight Lieutenant Avani Chaturvedi created history in 2016 when she became the first Indian woman to fly an IAF combat jet. Two years later, she became the first Indian woman to fly solo in a MiG-21 Bison fighter.
What better way to recall her exploits than on the eve of International Women’s Day?
After completing a year’s rigorous training at the Air Force Academy at Dundigal, Chaturvedi and her coursemates, Mohana Singh and Bhawana Kanth, were inducted into the IAF as Flight Lieutenants in June 2016 and formally commissioned two years later.
The 25-year-old had decided to join the Indian Air Force after an exhilarating experience in the flying club of her college.
Guided in her dream to join the armed forces by her brother, a lieutenant, and others in her family who are in army, Chaturvedi was also inspired by the life and works of former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
Hailing from Madhya Pradesh’s Rewa district, Chaturvedi did her schooling from Deoland, a small town in Shahdol district. After obtaining a B.Tech from Rajasthan’s Banasthali University in 2014, she passed the Combined Defence Services Examination and opted for the IAF.
While pursuing her B.Tech, she took aviation as an additional subject at the campus aviation school. It was here that Chaturvedi’s keen understanding of aviation was also recognised and she was encouraged by her faculty to earn her wings.
Currently posted with 23 Squadron (Panthers) at AFS Suratgarh, Chaturvedi will be eligible to fly other fighter jets like the Sukhoi SU-30 and the Tejas after she completes her stage-3 training.
The receipient of an honorary doctorate from Banasthali Vidyapeeth last October, Chaturvedi loves playing chess and table tennis and also enjoys sketching and painting.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.