Brain Sharpenerzz

India’s journey into the skies began with a remarkable woman who defied the odds and soared above social norms— Sarla Thukral , the first Indian woman to fly an aircraft. Her pioneering spirit not only earned her a place in aviation history but also inspired generations of women to chase their dreams. Born in 1914 in Delhi , Sarla Thukral moved to Lahore (then in British India) at a young age. At the age of 16, she married P. D. Sharma , a commercial pilot and a scion of a family with a strong aviation background. Her husband noticed her keen interest in flying and encouraged her to pursue it. At just 21 years old, in 1936 , Sarla earned her aviation pilot license and became the first Indian woman to fly a plane , a Gypsy Moth aircraft, solo. Wearing a traditional saree, she confidently took control of the aircraft and completed over 1,000 hours of flying . Her achievement was even more remarkable considering the era—when Indian women had limited access to education and few caree...