In a recent address after inaugurating Boeing’s new global engineering and technology centre campus, Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended India's progress in aviation and aerospace, emphasizing the increasing role of women in the sector. He highlighted that women are at the forefront in both fighter and civil aircraft, constituting around 15% of total pilots in India—three times the global average.
Modi expressed confidence that India will play a significant role in boosting the global aviation market. He noted that India has become the world's third-largest domestic aviation market, and within a decade, the number of passengers is expected to double. The 'UDAN' scheme, aimed at enhancing domestic aviation, has played a crucial role in this growth.
The Prime Minister also took a dig at the Congress, stating that earlier, India struggled to transform its potential into performance. He emphasized that India has prioritized connectivity infrastructure, making the country a well-connected market.
During the event, Modi launched the Boeing Sukanya Programme, which aims to support the entry of more girls into India’s growing aviation sector. The Boeing India Engineering and Technology Centre (BIETC) campus, built at a cost of Rs 1,600 crore, spans 43 acres and is Boeing’s largest investment outside the United States. Located in Devanahalli on the outskirts of Bengaluru, the campus will be instrumental in fostering partnerships with startups, the private sector, and the government ecosystem in India.
The Boeing Sukanya Programme will focus on providing opportunities for girls and women across India to learn critical skills in science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) fields, enabling them to pursue careers in the aviation sector. The program includes establishing STEM labs at 150 locations, offering scholarships for women training to be pilots, and supporting flight training curriculum and career development programs.
Boeing President and CEO, David L Calhoun, expressed gratitude for the support of Prime Minister Modi’s vision for India, and the dedication of the Boeing campus is seen as a significant step in fostering aerospace innovation in the country. The event was attended by prominent figures including Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka, and Boeing Chief Operating Officer Stephanie Pope.
(With Agency Inputs)
