IWPA stands for Indian Women Pilots Association and International Women Professionals in Aviation and Aerospace. IWPA is a non-profitable Charitable Trust with its headquarters in Mumbai. The President of IWPA Ms. Harpreet A.De Singh stated that various events were held throughout the year to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of IWPA.
The International Conference on Women in Aviation and Aerospace was organized on 19th December 2017 for showcasing the women power in India with the theme “Bhartiya Nari ki Udaan Shakti” as a part of the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s motto on “Beti Bachao Beti Padao”.
This was a platform that brought women from all across the country together, representing not only Civil Aviation, but also the Defence and Aerospace and other Aeronautical sectors for the first time. Besides, it displayed women power in Aviation and Aerospace wherein India, in fact, has a higher percentage of women in these technical areas compared to the rest of the world. This Conference not only included women achievers across aviation and Aerospace organizations but also school children from standard 9th to 12th who could be motivated to take careers in Aviation and Aerospace.
IWPA as a part of its Golden Jubilee Celebrations has recognized various women achievers and professionals in the field of aviation and aerospace. IWPA is a forum for women who have the spirit to take up the challenges in pursuit of excellence. President, IWPA Mrs. Harpreet A.De.Singh also the Chief of Flight Safety of Air India and the first and only women in India holds this post. The General Secretary Capt. Sangeeta Bangar is also an Examiner on the Airbus A320.
Speaking on this event Hon’ble Union Minister of Civil Aviation Shri P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju said, “India is the country with the maximum number of women pilots in the world, be it in Air India or Indian Air Force. This is a testimony of the contribution made by women to the aviation sector and also by the country to their careers.” The minister further stressed on the fact that India has less Sainik schools for women which reduces the number of women cadets. “As an MP you have this agenda. So in future, we’ll work on this so that in the National Defence Academy, women have a role there. And now that we have a women defense minister, she is also thinking about it and she’s interested. So I think it will get work,” he said.
With the support of the government and the Ministry and the enthusiasm of all the women involved who have broken the glass ceiling, this body of IWPA could be the catalyst for supporting the government in policy and bonding the organizations together for enhancing the growth of Aviation & Aerospace in India.
