She captures your heart every time with inspiring voice

Wg Cdr Sujata Tiwari | Photo Courtesy: Swamy/IAF

By Anantha Krishnan M

Express News Service

Bangalore: When little Sujata went along with her father for short drives in their white-colour Ambassador in Bhopal's Arera Colony, she had a dream to become an IAS officer. But, life took a different flightpath and she became an air warrior. Today, Wg Cdr Sujata Tiwari's is one of the sweetest voices, the entire nation is familiar with. Read on to know why!

A postgraduate in Economics, Sujata joined the Indian Air Force (IAF) in 1999 as a cadet at the Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad. Interestingly, she is now an instructor at AFA, training her junior cadets and inspiring them to touch the skies with glory. 

At Aero India-2013, Sujata's commentary has already caught the attention of the plane people, thanks to her inimitable style and versatile voice. “Commentary and participating in quiz competition was always my passion. Before joining the IAF, I did some programmes for the All India Radio's Yuvavani programme. My first commentary in the IAF was during the Passing Out Parade at AFA in 1999, and I was a cadet then,” says Sujata, with a child-like smile, during an interaction with City Express. Then on, IAF took her onboard and made her almost permanent at all important events.

So far, she has given commentary during 10 IAF Day (October 8) parades, nine Republic Day Parades, two international air shows and many others. “During R-Day Parades the pride makes all the difference,” says Sujata, who is an expert in cooking paav bhaji and egg curry. “So far, no complaints from anyone,” she says, unable to control her laughter.

At Aero India, for the first time, she has fallen in love with the Flying Bulls. “They are so cute looking. My God! So much of daredevilry. They capture the skies and become its masters within no time. I love our Sukhois too,” says Sujata, now a Permanent Commissioned Officer. Interestingly, Sujata's role models are Swami Vivekananda, Amitabh Bachchan and her father herself.

In love with Bangalore and its weather, Sujata says even the people are really warm and very hospitable. “You feel very much at home when you are in Bangalore,” says Sujata, whose first posting was in Srinagar. 

Her biggest compliment so far came from a spectator at R-Day Parade, when he came to her and said: “Aapke zabaan se jo aawaz nikalthi hain, woh seedha hamare dillo main gus jaatha hain (Your voice goes straight in to our hearts)”

Well, come to Yelahanka, and even you would agree!

Copyright@City Express, The New Indian Express

GET REGULAR UPDATES FROM

 TARMAK007'S FB PAGE. CLICK

THE ICON AND LIKE THE PAGE

Tarmak Tributes: An inspiring foot soldier from MoD’s flash force

Basani Satheesh Kumar

In many ways Basani Satheesh Kumar (BSK) is an unsung hero. A Senior Photo Officer (SPO) with Ministry of Defence (Chennai), I met BSK for the first time during a media tour to Andaman in 2010. Later at Aero India-2011, I saw him work. Silently sweating it out in the sun. Capturing one frame after another. Shooting at will. With thrill. And always waiting for that one frame, which would have gifted him inner peace. Satisfaction. And, photographers need that, you know! 

An absolutely silent soul, BSK’s photos along with the rest of DRP crew, became the only fodder for greedy bloggers like me, who generally gets hyper-active during plane carnivals. A B.Sc and BFA graduate, BSK started his career with Eenadu TV in Hyderabad as a cameraman in 1995, and within 4 years he landed a job with MoD. Air shows, defence expos, military exercises, fleet reviews and many more kept this talented shutter-bug on his toes. With another Aero India around the corner, Tarmak007 would like to salute this inspiring foot soldier, who is part of MoD’s flash force, now. Above are some photos from Tarmak007 archives, all captured by SBK during the last air show. If you copy them, please do BSK the credit. All the best BSK! 

(Tarmak Tributes will appear now and then on the blog, capturing short and sweet stories of unsung heroes from the world of Indian aerospace and defence. If you know anyone, whom you feel can be featured in this segment, please email the details to: ak.tarmak007@gmail.com. Only truly deserving candidates, please.)

Aero India unsung heroes: Ready to swing into action in 3 minutes!

It was one sight in contrast. Away from the mighty flying machines, men who talk technology, dare-devil pilots,  event managers, PR hawks, defence ‘experts’ and (gift)-ed  journalists there were a group of men ready to swing into action if need be. The disaster management group under the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). The team is headed by K.K. Pradeep, who led the Karnataka contingent of the disaster management team at the recent Sabarimala tragedy. The team is prepared even to tackle terrorists, chemical or biological attack. Many were seen testing the DRDO’s NBC masks at the base camp. The place was a dhaba (an eatery) just before Aero India and the Karnataka Government took over the same to make space for the team. “The response this time during Aero India 2011 – in case of an emergency – has been programmed to 3 minutes. It was 7 minutes in 2007 and 5 minutes in 2009. Many of our operational modes can’t be divulged since many agencies are involved,” says Pradeep. “We have grown over the years and have become a very tactical unit with modern gadgets to support our missions,” says inspector J.S. Bains, team commander. (Photos: A.R. Jose, Aviation Week, Show Daily)