Meet Usha Sundaram, First Female Pilot Who Led Rescue Mission During India-Pak Partition In 1947

In the early years of India getting Independence, when women of the country were confined and expected to do only the traditional roles of the home, Usha Sundaram stood out as an exception by being the first female pilot. She started co-piloting flights with her husband V. Sundaram and later, she went on to fly some of India’s most important leaders. 

Usha did much more than just fly planes. During the partition time, she helped in major rescue operations and later helped in starting one of India’s top animal welfare organisation. Her life is the perfect example of bravery and determination. 

Usha’s early life and personal background

She was born as Usha Krishnamurthi in 1924, to Kamakshi and T.S Krishnamurthi. She grew up in an environment that valued education and service. In July, 1941, she married V. Sundaram, who was a commercial pilot and a flight instructor at the Madras Flying Club. The couple has three children, two sons, Suresh and Chinny Krishna and one daughter, Vijayalakshmi.

In 1946, the couple moved to Bangalore where Sundaram took up the role of Director of Civil Aviation for the princely State of Mysore and in a few years, also became the principal of the Government Flying Training School in Jakkur. 

Usha Sundaram breaking barriers by flying

Usha’s journey in flying started informally when she joined her husband on flights, often taking the co-pilot's seat during the airmail deliveries across India and to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). Gradually, she recognised her passion in flying and decided to formally pursue pilot training. 

In 1948, the Government Flying Training School was established in Jakkur, Bangalore, with V. Sundaram as its principal. Usha enrolled as the first student and on May 1, 1949, became its first graduate. She was the first to get a pilot’s license from there. She also became the first woman to get a pilot’s license after India’s Independence. 

Usha’s contributions during the partition

The partition of India had led to a lot of violence and displacement. During that chaos, Usha along with her husband, V.Sundaram, undertook several rescue missions. She was the one who flew into the heart of violence hit regions to rescue refugees from there. She bravely flew for rescue missions despite bad and risky weather conditions. Their efforts gave a safe way from violence to several people, proving Usha’s bravery and dedication to help others. 

Usha co-piloted flights for Nation’s leaders

During the crucial time of Independence, Usha co-piloted a flight with her husband which had leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Rajendra Prasad and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. 

The couple worked as personal pilots for the Maharaja of Mysore’s airplane, which was called the Dakota DC-3. Leaders preferred to fly with them because the crew was all Indian. Usha was even a close friend of Sardar Patel because she often flew him around while he was helping to unite India’s many princely states. She even flew important leaders alone when her husband took a break, earning much respect for her skill and courage.

The record breaking flight by the Sundaram’s

In 1950, the government of Madras asked Usha and her husband to buy a new airplane called the De Havilland Dove from England. The couple traveled by ship to England to get the plane. In 1951, they flew it back to India together. Their flight was from London to Bombay, via Paris, Karachi, and Baghdad. They completed this journey in just 27 hours, which set a new world record for flying a piston-engine plane from England to India. This record still stands today. In 1952, Usha Sundaram took an early retirement to take care and raise her three children in Bangalore and then later, she moved to Chennai. 

During an interview in 2001, at the National Aerospace Laboratories, where she was being honoured as India’s first woman pilot, Usha spoke about the 27-hour long journey and her flying experience at the age of 22, she said:

“There shouldn’t be gender bias in the field of aviation as women’s ability with aircraft is on par with men”.

Sundaram’s together started animal welfare

Usha’s love and achievements in flying are already well-known, but she also loved caring for animals. In 1959, Usha along with her husband V. Sundaram co-founded the Blue Cross of India in Chennai, beginning the organization’s work from their own home. 

The Blue Cross of India was officially registered in 1964 and has since become one of the largest and most respected animal welfare organizations in Asia. Through rescue, rehabilitation, and awareness programs, it has helped countless animals in need. Her youngest son, S. Chinny Krishna, became a leading animal rights activist and co-founder of Blue Cross, carrying forward her legacy with dedication and passion.

The legacy and passing of Sundaram’s

Usha Sundaram died on April 6, 2010, in Chennai, at the age of 86. Her husband, V. Sundaram, died before her, in 1997. Together, they left an everlasting effect in Indian aviation history and the animal welfare field. Even after their passing, their influence continues to shine through the work of their children and through the countless people and animals whose lives were touched by their vision, courage and compassion. 

Usha Sundaram's life represents breaking down barriers and leading the way for change. As India's first female pilot after independence, she not only flew the skies but also changed countless lives via her helpful nature and work. Isn’t she an inspiration? What do you think? 

Next read: Meet Rajdeep Sardesai's Wife Sagarika Ghose, Prime-Time Anchor At BBC, Author, Member Of Rajya Sabha

AWESOME NEWS! Now you can download BollywoodShaadis app and never miss a story. Get App

AWESOME NEWS! Now you can download BollywoodShaadis app and never miss a story. Choose your device Android or IOS (Apple)