Page 40 - M&M - Eng
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          this desire and prove my worth. To enjoy power, respect in the
          society and have some important identity.

          I saw that the best way to accomplish this desire (even at the
          cost of losing highly paid jobs in the West), is to be a lady officer
          in the armed forces, wearing uniform and getting salutes from
          the subordinates under my command.

          When asked in the Air Force selection interview by the
          president of the selection board as to why I wanted to be a
          commissioned officer in the Indian Air Forces, I gave the same
          reason — to enjoy respect that an officer in armed forces gets
          in the civil society. The president (interviewer) replied with
          a popular saying — the grass on the other side always looks
          greener — and my reply to his statement was I am sure that it
          is indeed very green.

          I was selected and joined the Air Force academy. Within
          ten days of the training in the academy I started to think of
          quitting the training. But the thought and dreams of enjoying
          the respect, financial independence, and fame in the society
          made me stay and continue the training.

          Soon after the completion of the training phase, I got married
          to  a  fellow  officer  and  started  my  new  life as  a  wife  and  a
          commissioned officer in Indian Air Force simultaneously.
          Things started looking impossible. I wanted to excel in both
          and didn’t want to compromise one duty for another.

          The tug of war started between professional front and the home
          front looking after family matters. I ended up requesting my
          superior officers to understand that it is difficult to stay away
          from my family, whenever there was a requirement for me to
          stay in remote postings for many days at a time. At home also,
          I began requesting my husband to cooperate, support, and
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