Latest news with #Poonia
The Wire
08-07-2025
- General
- The Wire
Banasthali Vidyapith, nurturing many firsts dedicated to national service
New Delhi [India], July 8: Banasthali has given many firsts and they're now leaders in dozens of areas. We also have 14 students in judiciary, several in police services and thousands working in multi-national companies at higher posts. The students of Banasthali Vidyapith have maintained their dominance in various military services of the country and have once again proved that the students here are full of courage, leadership, and the spirit of unwavering service towards the nation. It is worth mentioning that Sqd Ldr Avani Chaturvedi, who was a student here, became the first female pilot to fly a fighter jet and it was she who opened the way for women pilots to fly fighter jets in the country, earlier women used to fly fighter jets only in a few selected countries like America, Brazil. Avni, who was an IT graduation student from Banasthali University, took training as a commercial pilot from here. She was also the first female fighter pilot of the Indian Air Force to participate in aerial combat exercises abroad in 2023, not only this, Avani Chaturvedi became the first Indian woman to fly a MiG 21 Bison alone. Following in Avni's footsteps, Aastha Poonia, a student at the university, has achieved the distinction of becoming the first fighter pilot in the Navy. University Director Dr. Anshuman Shastri says that along with Avani, a large number of female students have been selected so far, making their mark in the Navy, Army, and Air Force. He said that Aastha Poonia, a student of Banasthali Vidyapeeth, got the honor of being selected as Second Lieutenant in the Indian Navy, she was doing B. Tech in Computer Science at the university. With this, Poonia has now become the first woman in the country who will work as a fighter pilot in the Navy after receiving the prestigious 'Wings of Gold'. Aastha's father, Arun Poonia, who hails from Hisawada, a small village in Baghpat district of UP, is a maths teacher. Her father told her that Aastha had an enthusiasm for airplanes since childhood, whenever she heard the sound of an aircraft flying, she would run out of the house and keep looking outside. Aastha said that seeing many students getting selected in the military services of the country in the legacy of the university has always been a source of inspiration, this success was achieved under the guidance of the nurturing and empowering environment at Banasthali , faculty, and training experts. She said that the feeling of nation first always in Banasthali inspired her to join the military services. Current, director Anshuman Shastri, who taught Poonia during her while sharing his experience says that Poonia's IQ level in the class stood out. At that time, I felt that this girl would do something big in the future, today she has made my dreams and wishes for my students come true by achieving the pride of being the first fighter pilot in the country's navy. The entire Banasthali family takes immense pride in her success. On Poonia's selection, her parents and the university administration congratulated her and wished her a bright future. (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PNN and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.).
India Gazette
08-07-2025
- General
- India Gazette
Banasthali Vidyapith, nurturing many firsts dedicated to national service
HT Syndication New Delhi [India], July 8: Banasthali has given many firsts and they're now leaders in dozens of areas. We also have 14 students in judiciary, several in police services and thousands working in multi-national companies at higher posts. The students of Banasthali Vidyapith have maintained their dominance in various military services of the country and have once again proved that the students here are full of courage, leadership, and the spirit of unwavering service towards the nation. It is worth mentioning that Sqd Ldr Avani Chaturvedi, who was a student here, became the first female pilot to fly a fighter jet and it was she who opened the way for women pilots to fly fighter jets in the country, earlier women used to fly fighter jets only in a few selected countries like America, Brazil. Avni, who was an IT graduation student from Banasthali University, took training as a commercial pilot from here. She was also the first female fighter pilot of the Indian Air Force to participate in aerial combat exercises abroad in 2023, not only this, Avani Chaturvedi became the first Indian woman to fly a MiG 21 Bison alone. Following in Avni's footsteps, Aastha Poonia, a student at the university, has achieved the distinction of becoming the first fighter pilot in the Navy. University Director Dr. Anshuman Shastri says that along with Avani, a large number of female students have been selected so far, making their mark in the Navy, Army, and Air Force. He said that Aastha Poonia, a student of Banasthali Vidyapeeth, got the honor of being selected as Second Lieutenant in the Indian Navy, she was doing B. Tech in Computer Science at the university. With this, Poonia has now become the first woman in the country who will work as a fighter pilot in the Navy after receiving the prestigious 'Wings of Gold'. Aastha's father, Arun Poonia, who hails from Hisawada, a small village in Baghpat district of UP, is a maths teacher. Her father told her that Aastha had an enthusiasm for airplanes since childhood, whenever she heard the sound of an aircraft flying, she would run out of the house and keep looking outside. Aastha said that seeing many students getting selected in the military services of the country in the legacy of the university has always been a source of inspiration, this success was achieved under the guidance of the nurturing and empowering environment at Banasthali , faculty, and training experts. She said that the feeling of nation first always in Banasthali inspired her to join the military services. Current, director Anshuman Shastri, who taught Poonia during her while sharing his experience says that Poonia's IQ level in the class stood out. At that time, I felt that this girl would do something big in the future, today she has made my dreams and wishes for my students come true by achieving the pride of being the first fighter pilot in the country's navy. The entire Banasthali family takes immense pride in her success. On Poonia's selection, her parents and the university administration congratulated her and wished her a bright future. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by HT Syndication. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Business Standard
08-07-2025
- General
- Business Standard
Banasthali Vidyapith, nurturing many firsts dedicated to national service
HT Syndication New Delhi [India], July 8: Banasthali has given many firsts and they're now leaders in dozens of areas. We also have 14 students in judiciary, several in police services and thousands working in multi-national companies at higher posts. The students of Banasthali Vidyapith have maintained their dominance in various military services of the country and have once again proved that the students here are full of courage, leadership, and the spirit of unwavering service towards the nation. It is worth mentioning that Sqd Ldr Avani Chaturvedi, who was a student here, became the first female pilot to fly a fighter jet and it was she who opened the way for women pilots to fly fighter jets in the country, earlier women used to fly fighter jets only in a few selected countries like America, Brazil. Avni, who was an IT graduation student from Banasthali University, took training as a commercial pilot from here. She was also the first female fighter pilot of the Indian Air Force to participate in aerial combat exercises abroad in 2023, not only this, Avani Chaturvedi became the first Indian woman to fly a MiG 21 Bison alone. Following in Avni's footsteps, Aastha Poonia, a student at the university, has achieved the distinction of becoming the first fighter pilot in the Navy. University Director Dr. Anshuman Shastri says that along with Avani, a large number of female students have been selected so far, making their mark in the Navy, Army, and Air Force. He said that Aastha Poonia, a student of Banasthali Vidyapeeth, got the honor of being selected as Second Lieutenant in the Indian Navy, she was doing B. Tech in Computer Science at the university. With this, Poonia has now become the first woman in the country who will work as a fighter pilot in the Navy after receiving the prestigious 'Wings of Gold'. Aastha's father, Arun Poonia, who hails from Hisawada, a small village in Baghpat district of UP, is a maths teacher. Her father told her that Aastha had an enthusiasm for airplanes since childhood, whenever she heard the sound of an aircraft flying, she would run out of the house and keep looking outside. Aastha said that seeing many students getting selected in the military services of the country in the legacy of the university has always been a source of inspiration, this success was achieved under the guidance of the nurturing and empowering environment at Banasthali , faculty, and training experts. She said that the feeling of nation first always in Banasthali inspired her to join the military services. Current, director Anshuman Shastri, who taught Poonia during her while sharing his experience says that Poonia's IQ level in the class stood out. At that time, I felt that this girl would do something big in the future, today she has made my dreams and wishes for my students come true by achieving the pride of being the first fighter pilot in the country's navy. The entire Banasthali family takes immense pride in her success. On Poonia's selection, her parents and the university administration congratulated her and wished her a bright future.
Time of India
05-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
India's first woman naval fighter pilot begins Mig-29K training as navy expands carrier air power with Rafale-M deal
First female Indian navy fighter pilot — indiannavy (@indiannavy) Advanced Carrier-Based Training Ahead Live Events India Expands Naval Aviation Capabilities Defence Ministry Clears Key Naval Projects Worth Thousands of Crores (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Sub-Lieutenant Aastha Poonia is set to become the Indian Navy 's first woman fighter pilot, beginning her final year of training that will qualify her to operate MiG-29K fighter jets from aircraft carriers at Poonia, in her early 20s, was awarded the "Wings of Gold" alongside Lieutenant Atul Kumar Dhull after completing transitional fighter training on Hawk advanced jet trainers at INS Dega in Visakhapatnam. The course included rigorous instruction in combat manoeuvres, marking a significant step toward operational readiness.'Sub-Lt Poonia has become the first woman to be streamed into the fighter stream of naval aviation, shattering barriers and paving the way for a new era of women fighter pilots in the Navy,' a naval officer said to upcoming training phase will include extensive sorties on aircraft that simulate carrier-based operations , including take-offs from a ski-jump that mimics the flight deck of an aircraft carrier. Upon completion, she will be qualified to operate the MiG-29K, the Navy's primary carrier-based fighter development follows the Indian Air Force's induction of over 20 women fighter pilots and reflects the ongoing integration of women into frontline combat roles across the armed Indian Navy currently operates 45 Russian-origin MiG-29K aircraft for carrier-based operations. These aircraft are deployed aboard India's two aircraft carriers—INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant. To augment this capability, the Indian government signed a deal in April to procure 26 Dassault Rafale Marine aircraft at an estimated cost of ₹64,000 crore. These jets are intended to enhance India's maritime strike potential until the indigenous Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) becomes operational. According to current timelines, TEDBF is still nearly a decade away from a major boost to naval capabilities, the Ministry of Defence has cleared several new projects, the largest being the indigenous construction of 12 Mine Countermeasure Vessels (MCMVs), estimated to cost ₹44,000 crore. According to official sources quoted by TOI, construction of the 900–1,000-tonne ships is expected to take about ten years. Each vessel will be equipped to detect and neutralise underwater mines that pose threats to shipping lanes and Ministry has also approved the procurement of semi-submersible autonomous vessels designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). These platforms will be developed under the Make-II category, meaning they will be built by private industry without upfront government additional projects cleared include the acquisition of Super Rapid Gun Mounts (SRGMs)—76mm main guns used on naval surface vessels—and DRDO-designed moored naval mines capable of being triggered by acoustic, magnetic, or pressure signals when enemy vessels pass nearby.(With inputs from TOI)
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Business Standard
05-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
In a first, Indian Navy inducts woman officer into its fighter pilot stream
In a historic moment for the Indian Navy, Sub-Lieutenant Astha Poonia has officially become the first woman to be inducted into the fighter stream, marking a major milestone in the Navy's journey towards greater gender inclusivity in combat roles, news agency ANI reported. Sub-Lieutenant Poonia received the prestigious "Wings of Gold" from Rear Admiral Janak Bevli, Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Air), during a ceremony held on Thursday (July 3). She completed the Second Basic Hawk Conversion Course at Naval Air Station INS Dega in Visakhapatnam, alongside Lieutenant Atul Kumar Dhull, who was also conferred the same honour. Defence acquisition council clears key deals On the same day, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), headed by the Defence Minister, approved 10 capital acquisition proposals worth approximately ₹1.05 trillion. The proposals include the procurement of indigenously developed Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missiles (QRSAMs), naval vessels, and other defence systems. The approvals cover armoured recovery vehicles, electronic warfare systems, and an integrated common inventory management system for the tri-services. Surface-to-air missiles were also part of the key items cleared. Navy gets stealth edge with Udaygiri frigate Adding to its modernisation, the Indian Navy recently received Udaygiri, the second stealth frigate of the Project 17A class, from Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL). The advanced multi-mission warship, capable of operating in blue-water environments, was designed by the Navy's Warship Design Bureau. According to MDL, Udaygiri features cutting-edge technologies for stealth, sea-keeping, and survivability, with hull shaping and signature suppression techniques making it comparable to top-class global warships. INS Arnala joins Navy's shallow-water warfare fleet Further strengthening its anti-submarine warfare capabilities, the Navy last month commissioned INS Arnala — the first of 16 indigenously built Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASWSWC). Named after a coastal fort in Maharashtra, the 77-metre-long ship is part of the Eastern Naval Command and is the largest Indian Naval warship to be powered by a diesel engine-waterjet combination. The vessel is equipped with advanced underwater sensors, acoustic communication systems, and a comprehensive weapons suite, including lightweight torpedoes, rockets, decoys, and mine-laying capabilities. It also supports search and rescue operations in coastal waters.
