Each flight tells its own story, and my experience aboard 6E 5037 was no different. It began with frustration—a missed connecting flight, a fall while running to the gate, and the gates closing before I could board due to delays from my earlier flight. After rushing between terminals, battling exhaustion and annoyance with unhelpful ground staff, I finally managed to secure a seat on the next available flight, 6E 5037, an hour and a half later. Little did I know that this flight would offer more than just a journey home—it would bring me an unexpected source of inspiration.
Seated onboard, I met Aakansha Sharma Sachdeva, the Lead Cabin Attendant. Our conversation quickly shifted from the routine to something deeper. I had just returned from a gender sensitization project, and we spoke about inclusion, diversity, and the challenges women face in the workforce. Aakansha shared her story—she had been flying all day, with only a few precious hours the next morning to help her 12-year-old daughter prepare for a math exam before heading off to another flight that evening.
While her story may seem ordinary at first glance, it’s a powerful reminder of the balancing act so many women perform. Aakansha, like countless others, embodies resilience, navigating work-life balance with grace. She is fully present at work, delivering her best while also managing the endless demands of home. This isn’t a story of women versus men, but a celebration of the quiet strength that drives so many women in the aviation industry, particularly at IndiGo, where their badges proudly declare “Girl Power.”
This power is not just a slogan—it’s a testament to the fortitude of women like Aakansha. I learned that IndiGo boasts over 45% women in its cockpit workforce, making it one of the leaders globally in gender diversity within aviation. It was heartening to hear this statistic, but even more so to witness the dedication of the women who make it possible.
To Aakansha, and the many like her who balance family and career with unwavering strength, your stories are deeply inspiring. Whether or not her daughter aces the math exam, I’m certain her children, and many others, are immensely proud of the “marks” these women score every day—marks of resilience, commitment, and love.
What began as a disgruntled experience—rushing through terminals and dealing with delays—ended with a sense of admiration. It’s people like Aakansha who remind us that sometimes the most inspiring stories are found in the everyday moments we might otherwise overlook. More power to you, Aakansha, and to all the women who inspire us with your daily acts of strength.
