In yet another example of shattering stereotypes, the Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), operator of the Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, inducted 14 women firefighters into its Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) squad. The BIAL also posted a video hailing their first-ever all-women team of firefighters on November 8. The airport announced that the appointment is a historic move in itself and is a big step towards making gender equality in the Indian aviation sector, which has been male-dominated since forever.
Meet The Largest All Women Team In Asia
Presenting the story of the #DaughtersOfIndia. #BLRairport salutes the women who have created history by being part of Asia's first largest squad of Women Aviation Firefighters. @narendramodi @PMOIndia @MoCA_GoI @HardeepSPuri#BharatKiLakshmi #Aviation #FireFighters pic.twitter.com/KFk1rDVTze
— BLR Airport (@BLRAirport) November 8, 2019
BIAL took to twitter and shared, “Presenting the story of the #DaughtersOfIndia. #BLRairport salutes the women who have created history by being part of Asia’s first largest squad of Women Aviation Firefighters.”
In a statement, BIAL even said, “Recruited from across Karnataka, the women, who were inducted on February 19, are currently undergoing training at the Bengaluru airport. With the airport’s second runway and second terminal set to become operational in 2019 and 2021 respectively, the recruitment of women will strengthen the airport’s emergency preparedness.”
According to reports, all of these women were recruited from across the state of Karnataka. They were extensively trained at both the Bengaluru Airport as well as the Airports Authority of India’s Fire Service Training Centre in Kolkata. The actual induction of the team took place on February 19 earlier this year, but the announcement was made on International Women’s Day to mark the stellar milestone. This is historic indeed as the Bengaluru airport has now become the first airport in the entire country and also probably also the first airport in the whole of Asia to have an all-women firefighters contingent of this size (14 members).
‘Women An Inspiration’, Says Twitterati
The Internet, however, has exploded with positive reactions. Everyone on Twitter agrees to how these women are smashing stereotypes and at the same time also acting as an inspiration for millions of little girls watching them follow their passion.
Salute! Shalom ! Bharat Naari, Maa tujhe Salam !🙏🙏🙏🙏
— Sam.N.P (@urbanrural1) November 8, 2019
Fantastic.. just fantastic
— sujith menon cn (@suzzitt) November 9, 2019
While some people have saluted these women by saying “Maa Tujhe Salaam”, others have hailed their achievements by writing things like, “Proud”, ‘Fantastic” and so on.
Team POPxo believes in the strength of women and we salute this 14-member women squad. More power to you!
Featured Image: Twitter
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