First Female Air Marshal Dr. Padma Bandopadhyay

This is the tale of grit, determination, and steadfastness. The tale of a lifelong service to the nation, a tale of many firsts. This is the tale of Air Marshal Dr. Padma Bandopadhyay.

India’s first woman Air Marshal of the Indian Air Force( IAF). Born in temple town Tirupathi in 1944  to  V. Swaminathan and Alamelu, She was inclined to the medical field since her childhood. Her mother was constantly ill during most of the childhood of young Padma Bandopadhyay and this affected her mind and psychology. Seeing her mother going to hospitals, she also resolved to work in the medical and health field to lessen patients' pain and suffering.

She worked hard and got selected to AFMC- Pune in 1962 in the very first batch of this college which is known most sought-after college for the study of medicine.

Owing to some personal issues, she was not able to take admission that year and made it to the college next year in the second batch.  After her course ended in 1968, she joined IAF  and met her first professional challenge in the form  of 1971 India- Pakistan war.  She left no stone unturned in her services during the war and was awarded Visisht Seva Medal ( VSM) by the President of the country who is also the supreme commander of the forces.  Interestingly, her husband who was also in the Airforce, was awarded with VSM in the same ceremony making them the couple who got awarded together that year.

 

It is said that because of some eye sight trouble, she had to give up her dream of becoming a pilot but that did not deterred her from excelling into the medical field. 

 

The Rise of Air Marshal Padma Bandopadhyay

 

She then ventured into a specialised field of medicine and did specialisation in aviation medicine.  Notably aviation medicine is a branch of medicine which deals with the prevention medicine related to pilots.  Aviation medicine was a field which was not ventured by women officers so much that time.

It is worth noticing that she was giving wings to her career at a time when the women of the country were not so much liberated. This shows her vision and determination to succeed despite adversities.  In fact being a female never became a hindrance for her as she continued to bring laurels for the country. 

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She became the first female to adorn the hat of fellow of the Aerospace Medical Society of India and conducted scientific research at the North Pole. This was no mean feat then and not even now in present times. Her scope of study included to ascertain if the soldiers could withstand, acclimatise with the harsh cold conditions. Her research was of help to the Indian soldiers who are posted in colder regions of the world during UN operations.

She kept earning respect and appreciation for her trail brazing work in the field and in 2002, came the day when she became the first female officer to achieve the rank of Air Vice Marshal in the IAF.  This was not just a moment of victory or joy for her only. Sher achievement became an inspiration, a guiding light for other female officers and girls at large in the country who wish to make it big in the armed forces. It was in the same year that she got decorated with AVSM ( Ati Vishisht Seva Medal).

Her forward march continued, she continued to fly high and eventually attained the rank of the first woman air marshal of the Indian Air Force in October 2004.

In 2006,. She was awarded with Param Vishist Seva Medal ( PVSM) for her distinguished services in her career spanning around 39 years.

In 2021, she was awarded Padma Shri by then-President Ramnath Kovid for her contribution in the field of medicine.

Bottom Line

Her tale is a reminder that no task is impossible and there is no limitation if a person works diligently, with zeal, and remains steadfast despite adversities. Today, She is a role model for girls who aspire to make it big in their chosen fields.