Name: Sarla Thakral

Known for: Being the first Indian woman to fly an aircraft

Date of birth: 1914

Place of Birth: New Delhi, India

Date of death: 15 March 2008

Husband Names (Married twice): P. D. Sharma, R.P Thakral

Introduction

Sarla Thakral who lived from 1914 to 2008 is known for being the first ever woman from India who flew an aircraft. She was just 21 when she got her aviation pilot license in the year and she got the opportunity to fly a Gypsy Moth solo. Just after getting the license, she completed her thousand hours of flying by the aircraft owned by the Lahore Flying Club. At that time she also had a daughter aged four. The recognition she got was also because of the encouragement that she got from her husband who also had 9 pilots in his family. She was married at the age of 16 to P.D Sharma who specifically encouraged Sarla to make her career in the field.

Her husband was the first person from India to get an airmail pilot license which flew between Karachi to Lahore. And, Sarla was the first woman from India to have attained 'A' license (after getting competed 1000 hours of flying). At the time around 196 when women could not even imaging to think about their dreams, Sarla Thakral made her dream of flying in the sky a real one and that too wearing a Saree.

Early Life Description

She was born in the year 1914 in Delhi and most part of her childhood was spent in Delhi of the undivided India. Like any other girl, she also got married at a very early age with P.D Sharma. But, unlike other girls, luck was on her side and she got married to a man who belonged to a progressive family. Many of the members of her in-laws family were pilot. Her husband was also the first man in India who has got an airmail pilot's license to fly between Lahore to Karachi. Her husband helped her gather courage to make her dream of flying an aircraft a true one.

Upon getting encouragement from her Father-in-law and husband, Sarla started getting training for completing her solo journey. And, astonishingly, during the same period in time she was blessed with a baby girl. It was in the year 1936 that she received her aviation pilot license. At that time she was just 21 years and she dressed in the simple Indian attire, Saree, she flew from Lahore flying club, a Gypsy moth solo. She had been found quoting that there hasn't been any opposition for her decision to choose the field. And, she is always remembered for being the first woman to fly an aircraft.

When the Tragedy Struck her

Her life took a turn when, after the expedition, her husband died in an airplane crash in 1939. After she decided to go to Jodhpur and apply for a commercial license of pilot. But, her agony did not end here, soon World War II broke out and she had to return back with a broken heart. After coming back to Lahore, she started to study fine arts in Bengal, and obtained a diploma degree from Bengal School of Painting.

Her the Life Afterward

After partition of India, in 1947, she moved to Delhi and since she was an ardent follower of the Arya Samaj, she married again. She had to go through a lot of hardships with two of her daughters before she got married again to R.P. Thakral. In this phase of life, she established herself as a Painter and Businessman. She started running her own textile printing business and it soon reach to a great heights. She often said that "Always be happy, it is very important for us to be happy and cheerful. This one motto has seen me tide over the crises in my life."

She is one of those exemplary women who showed courage and at a time when women would fear stepping out of their home. She faced everything in her life fearlessly and fought for her dreams alone. With her fearless tales she had `established herself as an exemplary figure from which women for many coming generations would keep inspiring themselves. She died at the age of 91, in 2008, and she was honored with the fittest lady in her neighborhood.