On January 26, 2021, India will celebrate its 72nd Republic Day. And on this day, as the nation celebrates and honours its bravehearts, how can we not take the opportunity to look back at some inspiring stories of lesser known heroes who created history in their own ways.
One such hero who broke the glass ceiling and created history to become the first lady pilot to fly in a combat zone is Flight Lieutenant Gunjan Saxena
Who is Gunjan Saxena? Her role in the Kargil War
Born in 1975, Flight Lieutenant Gunjan Saxena is an Indian Air Force officer and former helicopter pilot.
A 1999 Kargil War veteran, Gunjan joined the IAF in 1994. She was one of six women who joined the IAF as pilots in 1996.
At 24, she was the only woman to be part of the Kargil War, making her the first woman IAF officer to go to war. Additionally, she is the first of two women along with Flight Lieutenant Srividya Rajan from the IAF to enter a war zone flying Cheetah helicopters.
Her role…