‘Wings of Fire’: Meet BSF soldier’s daughter from Kashmir, who is all set to join IAF as Flying Officer

Udhampur: Inspired by her father, 23-year-old Aakriti Sharma from this hilly district of Jammu and Kashmir, a head constable in the Border Security Force, is all set to join the Indian Air Force as a flying officer next month. Sharma hails from the anonymous village of Magni and the road to there passes through one of the Army’s Udhampur-based Northern Command units. She credited her parents and National Credit Corps (NCC) for her success in cracking the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT).

“Soon, I am going to join IAF Hyderabad Academy as an Under-Trainee Flying Officer. After successful completion of my training, I will be commissioned as a Flying Officer in IAF,” Sharma, who Ready to give wings. her dreams, told PTI at her residence. Sharma did her schooling at Kendriya Vidyalaya and graduated from Government College for Women, Udhampur.

“While in college, I became a part of NCC and attended several camps which played a vital role in my life and helped me crack AFCAT,” she said. Sharma said that as part of the NCC, he participated in the Republic Day parade and also represented the country in Vietnam as part of the youth exchange programme.

“All credit goes to my parents and friends. My parents always stood by me and provided me all possible help. My father is in BSF, currently serving in Assam, who always encouraged me to set a goal. And inspired to focus on achieving it.” He said. Sharma said that he had cleared the Naval Services Selection Board interview as well, but decided to join the Indian Air Force.

Highlighting that many places in Udhampur are underdeveloped and children do not get enough facilities, Sharma said the youth “need to come out and strive to achieve their goals without looking back”. Aakriti Sharma’s mother Neeru Sharma said she was always interested in joining the force and following in her father’s footsteps.

“We have always supported her and I am happy that she has achieved her goal,” he added. She is a true inspiration for the youth, especially girls.

Local Sarpanch Prithpal Singh said that his selection is a proud moment not only for the village but for the entire Jammu and Kashmir. “She prepared for the exam in a village where we are facing frequent power cuts. She is a true inspiration for the young generation,” he added. The infrastructure can compete with its counterparts in bigger cities with better facilities.