By Savitri Narayanan
Madhuri looked at the calendar on the wall. ‘Four more days to vacate the hostel room!’ she told herself, ‘I must book the tickets today itself, but where do I go from here?’
The training course at National Defence Academy was complete. For the past three years, she had shared the room with her course mate, Sumati. Sumati had opted for ground duty whereas Madhuri had opted to be a pilot. After the training they had to do one year’s further training at an Air Force station. Sumati had got her placement order the day before and left to join duty at Srinagar.
‘Wonder when mine will come?’ thought Madhuri.
As if reading her thoughts, her phone tinkled.
“Sir wants to meet you, come right away,” said Sameer from the Commandant’s office.
It was three years ago that Madhuri had passed the entrance test and joined the National Defence Academy. She had worked with full attention and passed with good scores. Now she would fly an Air Force plane, serve the country!
‘I’ve always wanted to be an Air Force pilot, nothing else,’ thought Madhuri as she walked the pathway from the hostel to the main office building.
Madhuri’s family belonged to Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, where she was born. Soon after Papaji got a job at the Hindon Air Force Station, near Delhi. He worked there for a year and once his job got confirmed, Mummyji too packed her bags and moved there with little Madhuri.
Fighter planes were part of Madhuri’s childhood memories. The Air Force base where Papaji worked was a few minutes’ walk from their small, rented flat in Lodhi colony. From their front yard Madhuri could often see fighter planes rising to the sky. Holding on to mummyji’s hand and later with her friends, she walked to school, the Kendriya Vidyalaya, half a kilometre away. As they walked along the boundary wall of the air base, Madhuri couldn’t take her eyes off the fighter jets! There they were, dotting the landscape, waiting to take off!
“Hindon airbase is crucial for the security of the capital of our country,” Papaji often found reasons to say. “In case of a threat, it takes just five minutes for our flight jets to provide security cover to Delhi!”
‘Wonder if girls can become pilots too?’ Madhuri thought often but didn’t dare to ask.
The years passed soon and by the time she reached the higher classes, Madhuri had made up her mind to be an Air Force pilot. She did her research, collected information and looked at various options. Once during dinner she said, “After my 12th, I want to join the NDA in Khadakvasla!”
Both her parents were aware and supportive of her ambition to become a pilot.
“Where’s Khadakvasla? How far is it?” asked mummyji, “Where will you stay?”
“Mummyji, lots of time left to worry, don’t start now,” Madhuri burst into laughter. “I’m in Class XI just now! I need to complete Class XII with good marks and also have to pass the entrance test”
“You will, beti,” said Papaji. “Focused hard work gives good outcomes; God helps those who help themselves!”
Papaji’s words did come true! Madhuri cleared the entrance test and boarded the train to Pune. From there she took a bus to Khadakvasla and joined the course. Hostel accommodation was part of the deal, so she did not have to look for stay arrangements. Her roommate Sumati from Hyderabad was equally keen to complete the course and join the Indian Air Force. She had opted for ground duty, though.
‘Sumati must have already joined duty in Srinagar,’ thought Madhuri.
“Sir is waiting for you,” said Joseph as she walked into the office.
“Welcome to the team of Indian Air Force! Please take your seat!” said the Commandant with a smile, rising from his seat to shake hands with her.
“The order has come and you’re to join duty next Monday! Congratulations!”
“Thank you, sir!” she mumbled.
Pleased and elated, Madhuri was on the verge of tears.
“Just as you wished, your posting is in Hindon Air Base! You’ll report to Wing Commander Surjit Singh during your one year’s training period!”
“Sir, I can’t tell you how it feels!” Soon she found her voice.
“No need to explain, Madhuri! You’ve done your parents proud! Your father was a clerk there and retired last year, right?”
“Yes, sir! Papaji often said, ‘Focussed, hard work gives good outcomes; God helps those who help themselves!’
“Thanks again, sir! Let me pack my bags and book the ticket!”
As she walked out, holding the transfer letter close to her heart, Madhuri was already flying in the sky, though there was still a long way to go!
(Savitri Narayanan is a retired educationist at present in Bangaluru. A mother and grandmother, loves reading, writing and
travelling.)
