Bhawana Kanth | |
|---|---|
 Bhawna Kanth | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1992-12-01)1 December 1992 (age 32) |
| Alma mater | B.M.S College of Engineering,B.M.S. Institute of Technology and Management,Bangalore |
| Occupation | Fighter Pilot |
| Awards | Nari Shakti Puraskar |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  India |
| Branch/service |  Indian Air Force |
| Rank |  Squadron Leader |
_Arjan_Singh_along_with_the_Chief_of_the_Air_Staff%2c_Air_Chief_Marshal_Arup_Raha_(cropped).jpg)
Bhawana Kanth is the first female fighter pilot of India.[2][3] She was declared as the first woman to qualify for undertaking missions on a fighter aircraft. She along with two of her cohort,Mohana Singh, andAvani Chaturvedi were inducted into theIndian Air Force fighter squadron in June 2016 and were formally commissioned by Defence MinisterManohar Parrikar.[4] After the government of India decided to open the fighter stream in India Air Force for women on an experimental basis, these three women were the first to be selected for the program.[5]
In May 2019, she became the first female fighter pilot in India to qualify to undertake combat missions.[6]
Kanth was born on 1 December 1992 inDarbhanga, Bihar.[1] Her father Tej Narayan Kanth is an electrical engineer inIndian Oil Corporation and mother Radha Kanth is a home maker.[7] While growing up, Kanth was fond of sports likeKho Kho,Badminton, swimming and painting.[8]
Kanth completed her schooling from DAV Public School in Barauni refinery.[2] She prepared for engineering entrance examinations inKota, Rajasthan, and joinedBachelor of Engineering inMedical Electronics fromBMS College of Engineering,Bengaluru for further studies.[9] She graduated in 2014 and was recruited for IT giantTata Consultancy Services.[8]
Kanth had always dreamt of flying planes.[10] She took theAir Force Common Admission Test and was selected to be commissioned into the Air Force.[11] As a part of her Stage 1 training, she joined the fighter stream.
In June 2016, Kanth underwent a six month long stage-II training on Kiran Intermediate Jet Trainers atHakimpet Air Force Station inHyderabad soon after which she got commissioned as Flying Officer at Combined Graduation Parade Spring Term at the Air Force Academy inDundigal the same year.[9][3]
Kanth flew Hawk advanced jet trainers atAFS Bidar[12] and it has been the plan to move her and the other two members of her cohort to MIG 21 Bison squadron.[5] Flying Officer Bhawana Kanth on 16 March 2018 takes the solo flight of Mig-21 ‘Bison’. She made the solo flight of Mig-21 from Ambala Air Force Station at around 1400 hours.[13]
Kanth also tried some modelling assignments and appeared in print advertisements.[8]
On 9 March 2020, she was awarded withNari Shakti Puraskar by PresidentRam Nath Kovind[14]
She is posted to theIndian Air Force'sNo. 3 SquadronCobras.[15]