Opening Doorz

Opening Doorz Editorial | March 07, 2026

International Women’s Day 2026, Special

In a candid conversation with Martin D’Souza, Squadron Leader Neha peels back the layers of a life lived in high-pressure zones. As a Technical Officer in the Indian Air Force’s Rotary Wings, she navigated territories where runways don’t exist and earned the respect of men who eventually saw a leader, before they saw a woman!

Prayers for a Son… A Daughter Takes Flight!

I remember the whispers when my younger sister was born back in the 90s in Haridwar. The air was thick with the prayers of my grandparents for a grandson. ‘One boy should have come to the family rather than a second girl’, they said. Those comments forced me to dig deeper and understand why society felt I needed to have a brother to be complete?

I asked myself: ‘Is it a mandate?’

I decided then and there that I would make myself no less than any brother after growing up. I chose to break all the stereotypes of my joint family, becoming the only one to choose the path of the Armed Forces.

Finding Power in the Silence of the Ganga

Coming from Haridwar, a tier-2 city nestled in the lap of the Himalayas, I always admired the Ganga. She is always so quiet, yet so peacefully powerful. I feel that same quiet power drove my aspirations. I wanted to operate in the hills and forests, and joining the Indian Air Force as a Technical Officer in Rotary Wings was the dream that made it possible.

During my training days, I was allowed to choose a system based on merit and interest. I was drawn to helicopters because there is something truly remarkable about their versatility. They have the ability to undertake missions in challenging terrain where other aircraft simply cannot reach. I was fascinated by their role in HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief) missions, especially in far-flung areas. The satisfaction of completing such missions successfully is unparalleled. What I love about helicopters is their ability to operate without runways—they can fly anywhere in any condition. And if I’m being honest, I’ve always been captivated by the unique sound they make!

Surviving the Frozen Peaks

My background in Electrical Engineering was instrumental in securing this role, as it met the mandatory subject requirements for Aeronautical Engineering. But no degree can prepare you for the reality of being one of the few women posted in the challenging terrains of Jammu and Kashmir.

Life in such terrain is full of challenges that test you far beyond your technical skills. You are far away from your home and your loved ones. You have complex missions standing tall in front of you, and you have to put everything else at the back to move forward with your team. You are tested not only physically but, more importantly, mentally. It isn’t a 9-to-5 job; it’s a job that lasts until the work is finished and every machine is fly-worthy for the next day.

Leadership is a Sense of Belonging

I remember my warranty officers saying, ‘Ma’am, ap pack up karlo, we will inform you once the work is done’. But my inner Neha never allowed me to pack up before my team. Instead, after completing the work, I used to spend time with them, asking about their wives and children, their personal aspirations, and their lives. It gave me a sense of belongingness, and that human connection reflected in our team’s bonding while we performed the toughest tasks.

Of course, there were the smaller, daily battles, like defreezing ice water just to take a bath (ha ha ha). Or warming up your bed with electric blankets and running a bukhari in your room just to stay warm and alive. The best part of these challenges was that I love mountains and forests, and both were right there in front of my eyes while I worked on the helicopters. It kept me going, always and ever.

The Magic of the Mirror and the Uniform

The greatest challenge, however, was earning the trust of the men in my team, proving to them that I am not just a woman, but their leader. At times, you break down too. But when I wore my uniform… it was magical. It absorbs all your pain, your worries, and your weaknesses. Suddenly, you are just a strong person standing in front of the mirror.

Many young girls dream of serving their country but feel deterred by societal norms or self-doubt. To them, I say: ‘Look at how the perception of women in the armed forces has changed. After Op Sindoor, the question of our capability shouldn’t even need an answer’.

Women in the armed forces are no less than men. In fact, I would bet that women in the armed forces are much more successful and stronger than men in many other fields. We have painted a strong picture of femininity in society and shown the world that this profession no longer belongs solely to men. We are trained equally, we are tasked equally, and we have reached a level where women are commanding various types of units.

Redefining Beauty for my Daughters

As a mother of two daughters now, this journey is deeply personal. I want my girls to see that they can dream as big as they can. I want to show them how a woman can make it to the top and still have her personal life nurtured. They have a mother who has a sister, so they know that having a brother is not going to change who you become in your life.

I want to teach them that they don’t have to run behind beauty or appearances. They have seen that no woman can look more confident and more fearless than the one in uniform. That is what matters. Beyond the strength, I want to instill in them the values of being humble and kind to people.

Mentoring the Next Generation

My decade in the Indian Air Force gave me extensive expertise in aviation operations, aerospace engineering, and leadership under high-pressure conditions. From supervising critical helicopter maintenance in battle zones to coordinating mission readiness, I developed a deep appreciation for safety and technology. Now, I aspire to mentor young professionals, especially women, to inspire them to embrace leadership roles.

If I could go back in time and give my younger self one piece of advice before joining the Air Force, it would be this: ‘Utilise your time judiciously. You have a plethora of capabilities in you; it’s just a matter of how much you explore and polish them. If you feel you don’t have time today, trust me, you will never have time in the future either.’

Don’t let the prayers for a “son” or the cold of the mountains stop you. 

Wear your 'uniform' (whatever your profession) and stand strong in front of that mirror.

Also Read

Gul Panag’s Inspiring Journey: A Woman of Many Worlds!

Classroom to Finish Line: Vandana Tandon’s Marathon Journey

Shatakshi Kiran: ‘My father disowned me, my mother embraced me’