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Time of India

From skating rinks to skies: Bhopal's Tushita Singh joins IAF as flying officer

Bhopal: In a proud moment for Bhopal, Flying Officer Tushita Singh, a national-level athlete and former Asian Games participant, has been commissioned into the Indian Air Force (IAF) as a transport pilot. Her journey—from a childhood dream nurtured in the bylanes of Bhopal to the skies above India—stands as a powerful testament to determination, discipline, and silent perseverance. Tushita's aspirations were once dismissed by her family as a passing fancy. But growing up in a modest household with no military background, she remained undeterred. Instead, she doubled down on her ambition, fueled by stories of aerial heroism and a relentless drive for excellence. Academically sound and athletically gifted, she excelled in skating, football, and tennis, eventually representing India at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou (2023) as part of the women's soft tennis team—facing formidable opponents from Japan, China, Mongolia, and Vietnam. That same fighting spirit carried her through the demanding training at the Air Force Academy, where she topped Stage-I flying training and led the order of merit. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trouver la stabilité pendant les fluctuations du marché [tout apprendre] eToro Market Updates En savoir plus Undo Today, her commissioning is not just a personal milestone but also a beacon of inspiration for young women from non-military backgrounds. Her commissioning took place during the Combined Graduation Parade (CGP) held at the Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigal, Hyderabad, marking the culmination of rigorous pre-commissioning training for cadets of both flying and ground duty branches. Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), served as the Reviewing Officer and conferred the President's Commission to the 254 graduating cadets—including both men and women. The ceremony was marked by grandeur, including a precision march past, oath-taking, and enthralling performances by the Akash Ganga skydiving team, the Air Warrior Drill Team, and the Suryakiran Aerobatic Team. Fly-pasts by Pilatus PC-7 MkII, Hawk, Kiran Mk-1, and Chetak aircraft added a stirring finale to the morning. The Air Chief Marshal praised the officers for their dedication and immaculate performance, reminding them of the evolving nature of modern warfare and the IAF's pivotal role as the first responder in times of national crisis. Among other top performers, Flying Officer Rohan Krishnamurti received the President's Plaque and the Chief of the Air Staff Sword of Honour for topping the pilots' course, while Flying Officer Nishtha Vaid received the President's Plaque in the Ground Duty Branch. The ceremony concluded with the newly commissioned officers marching out to martial tunes. As Flying Officer Tushita Singh steps into her role in the IAF, her story continues to inspire—reminding us that even the sky is not the limit when one dares to dream. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .