Pune, November 25
President Pratibha Patil, who made history by becoming the world's first
woman president to fly in a fighter jet, descended from an Indian Air
Force (IAF) Sukhoi-30 MKI in a G-suit instead of her trademark sari.
An elated Patil flashed a victory sign and a beaming smile as she alighted after a nearly 30-minute subsonic (less than the speed of the sound) flight. Then a confident-looking president shook hands with all the air warriors present at the Lohegaon Air Base here.
“There was not any sort of apprehension, but there was excitement. I was right from the beginning, very confident. I'm confident even now,” Patil said at a press conference after the flight.
The president, who almost always wears saris, looked strikingly different in her olive green G-suit and IAF cap.
“Today I had a wonderful and unique experience. I am reassured that we are well equipped and they (the armed forces) have the strength to protect our border. I feel proud at this moment... The aircraft was very sophisticated. I was instructed by the pilot how to manoeuvre and I could do that."
“Today I am proud and every Indian should be proud of the ability and the spirit of sacrifice and the talent and capability of our defence forces. I have all admiration for them,” said Patil.
— IANS
