Droupadi Murmu becomes first Indian woman President to fly in Rafale fighter jet

President Droupadi Murmu with Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh. (Pic/PTI)

President and Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday completed a sortie in a Rafale fighter aircraft at Ambala Air Force Station.

As reported by news agency ANI, the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, was also at the Air Force Station when the president took off in the Rafale.

President Droupadi Murmu was formally given a guard of honour at the Ambala Air Force Station as she approached her Rafale sortie.

On April 8, 2023, the President flew in a Sukhoi SU-30 MKI fighter jet at Tezpur Air Force Station in Assam.

As per the statement released by the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday, "The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, will visit Ambala, Haryana tomorrow, where she will take a sortie in a Rafale," as cited by news agency ANI.

Earlier on Tuesday, President Murmu also inaugurated the opening plenary of the Eighth Session of the International Solar Alliance Assembly (ISA) in the national capital, according to a release from the President's Secretariat.

Speaking on the occasion, President Droupadi Murmu said that the ISA stands as a symbol of humanity's shared aspiration to harness solar energy for inclusion, dignity, and collective prosperity.

The President further said that climate change is affecting the entire world; therefore, urgent and concrete steps need to be taken to deal with this threat.

She further highlighted that India is committed to combating climate change and is taking determined steps. Murmu, while highlighting that ISA represents a significant step towards addressing this global challenge by encouraging the adoption and use of solar energy, also urged people to be more vigilant about using renewable sources of energy.

The President further stated that "The idea of inclusion defines India's development journey. Our experience in illuminating homes in the remotest areas confirms our belief that energy equity is the foundation of social equity. Access to affordable and clean energy empowers communities, drives the local economy, and opens up opportunities that extend well beyond the provision of electricity," as cited by news agency ANI.

The President further added that solar energy is not merely about power generation but also about empowerment and inclusive development.

She said, "We should work with more dedication not only for our own countries but for the entire world, and not only for the present generation but for future generations," as per ANI.

(With inputs from ANI)