Felicitating the leaders of today, who will further inspire and light up the path for #ChampionsOfChange tomorrow
Women in Aviation India (WAI) held its 3rd edition of the iconic Awards - Giving Wings to Dreams 2024 on 21st November 2024 at Roseate House New Delhi , felicitating 37 women achievers who have contributed significantly to the aviation sector. The award ceremony took place in the distinguished presence of Shri Vumlunmang Vualnam, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India and other eminent dignitaries present at the ceremony included Smt. Usha Padhee, IAS, Principal Secretary, Commerce & Transport Dept., Govt. of Odisha and Mr. Vipin Kumar, IAS - Chairman AAI.
At the event, Civil Aviation Secretary Vumlunmang Vualnam underscored the government's dedication to integrating women into the expanding drone industry, linking this initiative to the broader transformation underway in India's aviation sector. 35 selected school girls who had attended Girls in Aviation Day events held across the country in 2024 were also rewarded at the Giving Wings to Dreams Awards ceremony, as Young Aviation Ambassadors, wherein they received sponsorship for courses related to the travel & aviation industry.
In the second edition of its iconic awards ceremony
In the second edition of its iconic awards ceremony - Giving Wings to Dreams 2023, WAI felicitated 30 women achievers who have contributed significantly to the dynamic Indian aviation sector. More than 250 guests attended the ceremony in person, while hundreds joined on a simulcast through live streaming on social media.
The award ceremony took place in the august presence of the distinguished Chief Guest, General (Dr.) V. K. Singh (Retd.), Hon’ble Union Minister of State, Ministry of Civil Aviation & Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways, Government of India. The event was graced by the presence of eminent dignitaries including Shri Vikram Dev Dutt, Director General in the Directorate of General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Smt. Neelu Khatri, Vice President, Communication, Women in Aviation India (who is also the Co-Founder and SVP - Head of Operations, Akasa Air) and Smt. Kiran Jain, Vice president cum Treasurer, Women in Aviation India (who is also the COO of Noida International Airport).
In a new initiative (2023), students who had attended Girls in Aviation Day programs last year were encouraged to write an essay on what inspired them to be a part of the burgeoning aviation industry. Seven winners were selected and honoured as ‘Young Aviation Aspirants’ at the ceremony.
Celebrating the achievements of women in aviation
Women in Aviation India (WAI), FICCI & Ministry of Civil Aviation celebrated and acknowledged the contribution of 31 women in aviation in a program held at Roseate House New Delhi on the March 16th, 2022.
Successful women aviators and achievers in the fields of Drone technology, flight safety, cargo, strategic planning, customer relationship management and various aspects of Airline operations were recognized for their outstanding contribution. Women shining in the arena of pilot training and aero sports, inspiring today’s youth as role models were also felicitated at the ceremony.
Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Honourable Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Government of India was the Chief Guest at the program. Shri Rajiv Bansal, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India and Smt. Usha Padhee, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India were also present to congratulate the awardees. The ceremony was also attended by the members of Women in Aviation India, top dignitaries of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and representatives of airlines.