Women Soar High in Indian Skies, PM Modi Lauds Progress

Bengaluru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today celebrated India's progress in women's aviation leadership, highlighting that 15% of the country's pilots are now women, three times the global average.

Taking flight with aspirations: Speaking at the inauguration of Boeing's new state-of-the-art India Engineering & Technology Center (BIETC) campus, Modi lauded the achievements of Indian aviatrixes. This milestone, he pointed out, reflects the government's commitment to creating new opportunities for women in the aerospace sector.

Fueling dreams beyond the cockpit: Modi also launched the Boeing Sukanya Program, aiming to empower girls from across India to join the booming aviation industry. Through career coaching, development facilities in government schools, and scholarships for pilot training, the program empowers young women to chase their dreams of taking to the skies.

India, a global aviation hub: Underscoring India's rapid growth in the aviation sector, Modi noted that the country has become the world's third largest domestic aviation market, witnessing a doubling of domestic passengers in just a decade. Initiatives like UDAN have played a crucial role in this expansion, leading to increased demand and new aircraft orders, propelling the global aviation sector.

Connecting India, fueling growth: The Prime Minister emphasized the government's focus on infrastructure development, highlighting the rise in operational airports from 70 in 2014 to 150 today. This enhanced connectivity, along with improved airport efficiency and increased air cargo capacity, has spurred overall economic growth and job creation.

Taking policy to new heights: Modi outlined the government's policy focus on sustaining and accelerating the aviation sector's growth. Encouraging states to reduce aviation fuel taxes, easing aircraft leasing, and establishing the International Financial Services Centers Authority in Gift City are steps aimed at reducing dependence on offshore leasing and financing, benefiting the entire aviation sector.

Seizing the moment: Recalling his "Yahi Samay hai, Sahi Samay Hai" message from the Red Fort, Modi urged Boeing and other international companies to partner with India's rapid rise. He emphasized the "Make in India" policy's win-win proposition for investors, expressing confidence that Boeing's first fully designed and manufactured aircraft in India is not far off.

Bengaluru, the innovation cradle: Lauding Bengaluru as a city linking aspirations to innovation and India's tech potential to global demands, Modi expressed confidence that the BIETC campus, Boeing's largest outside the USA, will not only strengthen India but also the global aviation market. He envisioned this facility as a hub for driving global tech, research & innovation, design, and demand, reinforcing the "Make in India-Make for the World" vision.

Karnataka's soaring ambitions: Recalling the inauguration of Asia's largest helicopter manufacturing factory in Karnataka last year, Modi acknowledged the state's emergence as a new aviation hub. He congratulated the youth of India, who will now have access to a plethora of opportunities to acquire new skills in the aviation industry.

Women, leading the way: Reiterating the government's commitment to women's empowerment, Modi stressed India's focus on women-led development during its G20 Presidency. The Boeing Sukanya program, he asserted, serves as a cornerstone for this pursuit, equipping girls and women with STEM skills and paving their way to fulfilling their aviation dreams.

A sky full of possibilities: With a 15% female pilot force and initiatives like Sukanya taking flight, India's aviation sector is soaring towards an inclusive and prosperous future. This news is not just about numbers, but about dreams taking flight, fueled by passion, opportunity, and unwavering determination.