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Since movies on the IAF are in discussionI share some personal experiences. Two years back, I was a part of a 5-member filming crew that travelled across more than 10 IAF bases shooting HA ops of the IAF, living and breathing the AF life for those three months.
The shoot wasn’t easy. There were shoot schedules in areas with biting cold and sub-zero temperatures including the Siachen Base Camp, and treacherous terrain in the far reaches of the North-east.
Pertinent to mention, at times hour-long climbs in kucha paths of jungles and three-feet deep snow clad walks while capturing survival training of AF men and women, with over a hundred men from the Army and Air Force watching me test my own endurance.
Not once did I meet any unnecessary chivalry or attitude that I was weak or it was not my cup of tea. I did exactly what the other trainees of the IAF or male members of my crew did and was rather pushed by more than a dozen AF officers to push my limits and not be afraid.
We shot extensively with some celebrated women pilots of the IAF currently in service and while I won’t speak for their own experiences, I did feel proud to see them at par with their male counterparts drawing respect, dignity and accolades for braving the odds as much as them.
Many have written about the stereotypes that surround the arrival of women at the base camp, but the fact that women pilots fly in and out of the glacier sustaining crucial ops stands testimony that the IAF respects the merit of the pilots more than any archaic belief.
From pilots to met officers, technical and admin officers, each woman I met displayed admirable confidence in what she did, and her efforts well-acknowledged when deserved. The kind of camaraderie I have seen between men and women in the IAF is awe-inspiring.
While the larger group of male officers I interacted with left me inspired, there were a few who weren’t pleasant. I remember being quizzed as to “how are the overalls more uncomfortable for women than men? Think think.” (I was not very happy explaining the answer).
And “aap kaise survive karengi..there is no toilet at the training area.” "How will you survive in high altitude with all the extra weight?” But would I judge an entire institution for weak views of one or two persons? It's their belief as an individual, not the IAF.
What impressed me thoroughly was that in the IAF’s eyes - officers were officers. Man or woman didn’t matter.
And that sense of fairness prevailed when we wanted to focus slightly more on some women stories in our film too where the IAF would urge that we give equal and fair attention to the work than the causal effects of them being a man or a woman.
However, in a country like India, what one needs to realise is that while the institution may well be at its fair best, it still, is trying to attract potential women recruits who may be fighting battles in their own societies to shatter norms and pursue what they want to do.
In such times, what becomes essential is to bring out stories like that of Gunjan. The larger point to take home from the film is that Gunjan or many girls like her, especially in that era, fought many battles - at home, in the family, at work and sometimes within self.
What I don’t agree with is the fear that the film may demotivate girls to join the force. I think the IAF as an institution would have enough self-speaking solid stories about it’s ethos on equality, that cannot be shattered by one film accused of peddling lies.
With the release of Gunjan Saxena and the IAF’s discontent over it, the IAF’s biggest asset is the own personal account of the real Gunjan Saxena herself who holds the institution in high regard, speaks of its firm integrity and the myriad of opportunities it has to offer
...and a million hopes that it would have given to girls who aspire to become pilots. Nothing is in danger except those who still think that flying is still a male bastion.
Lastly, sharing the link of our documentary Extreme Flight - Indian Air Force that features one such great officer like Gunjan and many inspiring male officers who shatter age old norms everyday. #IndianAirForce #GunjanSaxenaTheKargilGirl https://www.hotstar.com/in/movies/extreme-flight-the-indian-air-force/1000228507
