Who was the First Female Pilot in India? Know her Name

In the early days, flying was considered a profession only for men. Many believed that women could not handle the challenges of aviation. However, one courageous woman proved them wrong by becoming the first to fly an aircraft in India. Her achievement opened the doors for many women to follow their dreams in aviation and inspired future generations to reach for the skies.

First Female Pilot of India

Sarla Thukral was the first woman in India to become a pilot. In 1936, at only 21, she received her pilot license and completed a solo flight in a Gypsy Moth airplane. She trained at the Lahore Flying Club and gathered nearly 1,000 flying hours. Even after facing difficulties, such as her husband’s death and the impact of World War II, she continued to work hard and later built a successful career in the arts. Her strong spirit continues to inspire many.

Early Life of First Female Pilot of India

Birth date: 8^th August 1914

Birth place: Delhi

Born in 1914, Sarla Thukral achieved an aviation pilot license in 1936 at 21, flying solo in a Gypsy Moth. She persisted, logging a thousand hours of flying owned by Lahore Flying Club. Married at 16 to P.D. Sharma, who hailed from a family of nine pilots, his support boosted her ambitions.

Aviation Achievements

Sarla Thukral’s story is one of courage and determination. While her husband, P.D. Sharma, became the first Indian to hold an airmail pilot’s license, Sarla herself was a trailblazer in aviation. In a time when few women dared to fly, she made history. Sarla became one of the first Indian women to earn A license.

Tragedy Strikes

Unfortunately, tragedy struck Sarla’s life when her husband, P.D. Sharma, died in a plane crash in 1939. This was a heartbreaking event for her. Despite the sadness, Sarla didn’t let go of her dreams. She aspired to become a commercial pilot, but her plans were put on hold due to the outbreak of World War II. Civil aviation training was suspended during this time.

A New Path Unfolds in the life of Sarla Thukral

With responsibilities to raise her child and the need to support herself, Sarla decided to take a different path. She turned her attention to her artistic side. She returned to Lahore and enrolled at the Mayo School of Art. Here, she learned about the Bengal School of Painting and her talent blossomed. Her dedication paid off as she earned a diploma in fine arts.

Legacy

Sarla Thukral’s life teaches us that setbacks cannot extinguish determination. She proved that even in the face of challenges, one can find new directions. While she couldn’t pursue her dream of being a commercial pilot, she soared to new heights in the world of arts. Her story reminds us that our journey might take unexpected turns, but with resilience, we can still achieve remarkable things.