States » WestPosted at: Oct 18 2026 7:33PM


Women pilots honoured by Shri Mahalakshmi Trust during Navratri

Pune, Oct 18 (UNI) Women are empowered and capable, whether they fly aircraft or nurture future generations at home, Captain Gauri Balkawade said at an event organised by the Shri Mahalakshmi Trust at Sarasbaug during Navratri.
“More than being a pilot, my mother has done a greater job by raising us, shaping our lives and giving us wings to fly. True feminism sometimes means taking a step back,” Balkawade said.
As part of its nine-day Navratri initiative to honour women from nine different fields, the trust felicitated women pilots Captain Gauri Balkawade, Captain Bhadravi Gadkari and Captain Apurva Gilje. The event also paid tribute to the courage of Smit Machhar.
The women pilots emphasised that a woman’s capabilities should not be judged by her profession or employment status. They highlighted the importance of recognising women’s sacrifices, values and contributions to their families, saying these should not be overlooked while celebrating their professional achievements.
Police officer Milind Mohite, temple trustee Bharat Agrawal, festival head Dr Trupti Agrawal, advocate Pratap Pardeshi and Pravin Chorbele attended the event.
The initiative was organised under the guidance of the trust’s founder and chief trustee Rajkumar Agrawal and chief trustee Amita Agrawal.
Mohite said the nine days of Navratri provided an opportunity to celebrate women’s achievements and praised the trust’s initiative to honour women from diverse fields.
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