Ms. Radha Bhatia President Women In Aviation International (WAI) , (India Chapter) hosted the first conference of the newly formed India chapter of the US based non-profit organization Women In Aviation at the Hotel Dusit D 2, Aerocity, New Delhi.
The event was inaugurated with a lighting ceremony, led by the chief guest Hon. Minister of state for Skill development Mr. Rajiv Pratap Rudy. He was joined by H. E Jan Luyx Ambassador of Belgium to India, Radha Bhatia & Neelam Pratap Rudy.
The panel discussion on THE INVISIBLE FORCE was moderated by media personality Sonia Singh and Fatima Karan. On the panel were Ms. CJ Collins, FAA Senior Representative, South Asia and Dr Renu Parmar, IES, Senior Advisor, Government of India, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Mr Ashwani Lohani, Chairman and Managing Director, Air India Ltd, H. E Mr Jan Luyx, Ambassador of Belgium to India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal & Maldives, Dr Frank Fichert, Deputy Dean, University of Applied Science, Worms, Germany, Ms. Sally Jones, Chief Financial Officer, ExecuJet Aviation Group, Ms Fatima Subramanian, Director- Fuel Services and support, Skyplan services.
Commenting on the event, Radha Bhatia, President, Women in Aviation International (WAI) India Chapter said, “We at Women in Aviation International (India Chapter) are very positive about the first conference. With the support of the industry and a few stalwarts, we will encourage young women to consider aviation as a viable career opportunity. By bringing the International chapter to India we will get the best talent and knowledge base to skill and empower the women of today.”
Neelam Pratap Rudy, Vice President, Women in Aviation International (WAI) India Chapter said, “A Developing Nation has to employ and skill women for its growth. In India only 17% contributed to GDP according to world’s standard 37%. Aviation and connectivity is the barometer of the economic health of a country and more doors can be opened to women empowerment through skill development to bridge the gender gap in India.”
Women in Aviation International is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancement of women in all aviation career fields and interests. The 13,000+ member includes astronauts, corporate pilots, maintenance technicians, air traffic controllers, business owners, educators, journalists, flight attendants, high school and university students, air show performers, airport managers and many others. WAI
provides year-round resources to assist women in aviation and to encourage young women to consider aviation as a career. WAI also offers educational outreach programs to educators, aviation industry members and young people nationally and internationally. The core objective of the Conference was to evaluate skill requirements and view best practices in skill development of the aviation industry.
Radha Bhatia, President of Women in Aviation, is also the Chairperson of the Bird Group. She is also the force behind The Bird Academy, and the founder member of the World Travel & Tourism Council India Initiative. She is the former Chairman of the Council.
Neelam Pratap Rudy is the Vice President, Women in Aviation. She is currently associated with Board member of Golf Foundation of India (North Representative) Indian Golf Union Member, Chairperson of PHD Culture and Sports, Vice President of an NGO (URJAA), Vice President of Woman in Aviation, Vice President of FICCI FLO. She was Chief of In-Flight, Alliance Air and has served in various departments of Aviation like Commercial, Public Relations Customer Services.
