Sarla Thakral a lesser known legend India Passed Away eleven years ago on 15th March 2008. She created history by becoming the First Woman Pilot of India.

Born in 1914, Sarla Thakral came from a simple family. She at the very young age of 16 to P. D. Sharma who was himself a pilot and came from a family which had nine pilots. On his encouragement, Sarla Thakral (Sarla Sharma) earned an aviation pilot license in 1936 at the age of 21 and flew a Gypsy Moth solo.

After the death of her Husband, Sarla Thakral abandoned her plans to become a commercial pilot and joined the Mayo School of Art. After the partition, she shifted to Delhi and remarried R. P. Thakral. Sarla became a successful businesswoman, painter and began designing clothes and costume jewelry. She died on 15th March 2008 leaving an ever inspiring legacy behind.

The stamp above is commemoration and remembrance of all the women pilots who put behind the stereotyping of society and chased their dreams. The stamp is denominated with Rs. 8.00 and depicts woman pilots and Indian aircraft.

Image Courtesy: http://postagestamps.gov.in

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