Meet Captain Shivani Kalra, Who Fearlessly Brought Back

Recently, the netizens hailed Captain Shivani Kalra as a real hero as her inspiring act of bringing back Indian students stuck in the crisis-hit Ukraine surfaced over the internet

It did not take a second for her to answer ‘yes’ when Captain Shivani Karla was asked if she can be a part of Operation Ganga to bring back students stuck in Ukraine back home. While this was asked of her, Shivani and her family were preparing for her brother’s wedding. But as dusty called, Shivani left immediately to Ukraine. Within a few days, Captain Shivani and her team have managed to bring back more than 250 Indian students home. These students had taken shelter in Romania and Hungary after fleeing Ukraine.

Recollecting her experience, the pilot said in an Instagram post: “We reached the destination where students were waiting for us. Their scared faces turned into smiles on seeing us. We got them seated and assured them that they would reach home safely. That day, we evacuated 249 Indian students from Budapest, Romania.”

The video which has now gone viral shows, Captain Shivani Kalra operating an evacuation flight from Budapest. While sharing the details of the proud moment, she mentioned: “When we landed in Delhi, every individual present there was clapping. I came out of the gate and saw the families cheering for us. I felt overwhelmed and proud. Amongst those cheering, the loudest were my parents who said, ‘Shabash!’”

Even though Captain Shivani’s parents were worried about her, but they didn’t stop their daughter from such an inspiring act. Instead, they told her: “‘You aren’t just bringing citizens back, you’re reuniting families. Make us proud and come back safely!’”

Shivani told in an interview that she is “proud to have been a part of the process”. And, further speaking about the struggle, she mentioned: “It usually doesn’t happen but when I left home last night, my mother came and hugged me. She was a bit emotional. I have been part of evacuation and rescue flights during Covid times, but I guess the news of war scared them. My brother and father were anxious and called me as soon as I landed,”

We feel proud of Shivani and her achievement, and she is an inspiration for everyone.

-Staff Reporter