Who Is Deepika Misra? First IAF Woman Officer To Receive Gallantry Award

Deepika Misra recently received the gallantry award, making her the first female Indian Air Force (IAF) officer to receive the honour.

Wing Commander Deepika Misra received the award at the investiture ceremony, which included 1 Indian Army personnel and 57 other Air Force personnel.

The IAF chief Air Marshall VR Chaudhari conducting the investiture ceremony handed over the Vayu Sena Medal to Deepika Misra. Misra received this medal among 58 other Air Force personnel in the ceremony that was held in Delhi.

Who Is Deepika Misra?

• Deepika Misra is an examiner and an instrument-rated, qualified flying instructor. She has received professional training as a helicopter pilot.
• Misra received orders on August 2, 2021, for disaster relief and humanitarian actions for the floods that had taken place in Northern Madhya Pradesh.
• Misra fought all weather adversities that evening to reach the affected area on time. She battles strong winds during sunset hours and was the only person to reach the area on time.
• Misra's aerial dominance and her input from the flood-affected area proved instrumental during a rescue operation by the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRS), State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), the IAF, and other bodies.
• Deepika Misra's bravery has not just been limited to the flood-hit areas. She was heading another rescue operation where she was tasked with evacuating four villages from a rooftop area. During this operation, she was at risk of flowing water and restricted visibility.
• This successful rescue operation lasted eight days and she saved a total of 47 lives including those of women and children.
• It was only due to her impeccable courage that so many lives were saved from the hands of calamity. The rescued people owed their peace and safety to Misra for saving them from the flood-affected areas.
• Misra's win of the Gallantry Award is well deserved given her dedication towards her work and humanitarian causes.

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