Aastha Poonia Makes History as India’s First Female Navy Fighter Pilot

Aastha Poonia, a B.Tech student from Banasthali Vidyapith, has made history by becoming the first woman to be inducted as a fighter pilot in the Indian Navy, following the award of the prestigious ‘Wings of Gold’. She has also been commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Indian Navy.

Aastha’s journey began in Hisawada, a small village in Baghpat district of Uttar Pradesh, where her father Arun Poonia, a maths teacher, recalled her childhood fascination with aircraft. “Whenever she heard the sound of a plane flying, she would rush outside to catch a glimpse,” he said.

Inspired by the military legacy of Banasthali, Aastha credited her achievement to the empowering academic and training environment at the university.

“The feeling of ‘nation first’ is deeply ingrained at Banasthali. This, along with the guidance from faculty and trainers, inspired me to join military service,” she shared.

University Director Anshuman Shastri, who taught Aastha during her engineering studies, said,

“Her IQ and focus were exceptional. I knew she was destined for great things. Her success is a matter of immense pride for the entire Banasthali family.”

Banasthali Vidyapith continues to be a trailblazer in producing women leaders in military and public service, with 14 students currently serving in the judiciary, several in the police force, and thousands in global corporations.

Aastha follows in the footsteps of Squadron Leader Avani Chaturvedi, another Banasthali alumna and the first Indian woman to fly a fighter jet. Avani was also the first Indian female fighter pilot to participate in international aerial combat exercises and the first woman to fly a MiG-21 Bison solo.

Banasthali’s consistent contribution to national defence highlights the institution’s commitment to nurturing courage, leadership, and patriotic service among its students. With Aastha’s achievement, another barrier has been broken, reinforcing the growing role of women in India’s armed forces.

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