“I am the first one to become a Pilot from my family,” Captain Laxmi Joshi, who flew India’s Vande Bharat Mission flight to China, told Asian Voice.
Captain Laxmi Joshi hails from a family of five. Her father, Shailesh Joshi is a civil engineer and her mother Nayan Joshi is a homemaker. Laxmi also has a younger sister, Sejal and a younger brother, Deepak. In an exclusive chat with the newsweekly, the pilot shared her experience of flying the Vande Bharat Mission flights around the world during the pandemic, risking her life, but bravely doing her duty.
“I am born and raised in Mumbai, India. After finishing high school I joined Guru Nanak Khalsa College, Matunga as a science student and after finishing 12th (A levels) I went to New Zealand to do my pilot training. I got my commercial pilot licence in 2012 and joined the National carrier of India - Air India in 2016 on the Airbus A320 fleet later on in 2018 I was upgraded to the B777 fleet which is my current fleet,” she added.
Q - How supportive has your family been in your career and your decision to be a part of the Vande Bharat Mission?
My family has been always my backbone and have been very supportive throughout. My dad is my hero and since childhood, he’s supported and motivated me in everything.
I have done many rescue flights and we still are doing it as a part of the Vande Bharat mission. At first, my parents were a little worried since it was the peak time when Covid had just hit the country and we had to fly to China to bring vaccinations, masks, hazmat suits and other medical supplies for our country but it was my duty call and I feel proud to be the part of the mission. I did many rescue flights to bring back Indians stranded in USA, Paris, Canada and many more countries. All this experience will be part of my memory.
Q - Please tell us more about your rescue flights.
I operated to Shanghai, Paris, USA and other counties during the Pandemic. We rescued stranded passengers under Vande Bharat Mission and also brought emergency medical supplies when there was an extreme shortage in the country. This whole experience made me appreciate our armed defence forces, medical personnel even more as they face challenges like these on a daily basis. The first wave in India was not as bad as in other countries but the situation in India was really bad when the second wave of Delta variant hit us. It took a joint concerted effort by everyone to overcome that.
Q - What do we as normal citizens know about the efforts that people in the aviation industry put during Covid-19, which we may not know otherwise?
Everybody in all the departments of an airport has faced unprecedented challenges since the pandemic began. From facing job uncertainties to working under extreme stress to ensure that safety remains a no.1 priority at a high contact place like an airport. As working from home is not possible in this field, So many of the pilots, crew and airport staff gave their lives while being on duty.
Q - Give one piece of advice to parents of daughters who would want to pursue a career like yours.
This is my message to everyone- “When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” So all the lovely girls and boys out there no matter how many hurdles you have to face in life to achieve your goals never give up on your dreams as in the end all the effort and your hard work will be worth it and I give all the credit to My biggest inspiration in my life my dad who has taught me, you can achieve whatever you wish in your life with your positive approach, determination & hard work!
Q - How do you manage your mental health and physical health amid such exhausting schedules and uncertain times?
I do yoga, meditation and I work out 3-4 times a week. I try to eat clean and healthy as much as possible and I always make sure I get a good sleep. Because body and mind that is rested well can perform the best is what I believe in.
