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NT Bureau
Chennai, Mar 9:
 

Captain M Deepa with co-pilot M Tayal and crew who flew a special flight to Chennai-Mumbai-Chennai yesterday on the occasion of International Women's Day.

        For Deepa, the desire to fly high was a dream-come-true when she touched the sky, meeting an altitude of passion and admiration that she had in her from the childhood days, while flying as Commander of the Airbus 320 flight to mark the International Women's Day yesterday Flying with a crew of women including co-pilot M Tayal, captain Deepa, who has an experience of 4000 hours of flight, found this year's Women's Day was a special one.

        The flight, which flew from Chennai to Mumbai at 7.10 am along with 135 passengers, returned to Chennai with 129 passengers at 12.10 pm.

        This was the first flight from South India completely managed by the women, which was an initiative by Indian Airlines Limited to celebrate the day. Before a similar exercise had been done from Mumbai and Delhi to mark the day.

        Speaking to the reporters about her experiences and the status of women, Deepa said, 'I felt like a bird during my first flight as a pilot.'

        She said her ambition to become a pilot began at school, for which she took up science and later got trained at the Madras Flying Club.

        She was of the opinion that country gives an excellent opportunity to women and, 'women should come out of the shell to explore the world.

        They should be treated on par with men. They are no less than anyone and have the capability to match and handle any situation like men.'

        Replying to a query whether women were capable enough to handle a difficult situation during their flights, she said that when it comes to the profession it does not make a difference between men and women. It all depends on the attitude, she added.

        Explaining as to how they went on to greet the passengers and celebrated the day, Deepa said the crew members greeted passengers with flowers and offering wishes to women.

        A pledge to treat women equally was taken onboard and chocolates and flowers were exchanged by passengers and crew members to mark the day.