Aviation

Indian airports get their first woman firefighter

The last all-male bastion of Indian aviation has fallen with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) appointing its first ever woman firefighter. The state-run authority currently has 3,310 firefighters at its airports as having fire service is a mandatory condition for planes to land anywhere.

The Times of India reports , Now, Kolkata girl Taniya Sanyal will, in a month, join their ranks after completing training that she is undergoing in the city. Considered a profession only for men, AAI till recently did not have recruitment norms for women firefighters.

“We were facing a shortage of firefighters due to expansion and new airports coming up. We brought in contemporary rules and decided to recruit women in this field which required criteria for physical standards. I had done similar rule changes in Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation for firefighters. We got hold of them and then set the standards for recruiting women firefighters. This is the first time a woman has joined our ranks in this field and it will continue now,” AAI chairman Guruprasad Mohapatra, who brought about this change, told TOI.

The physical standards for male firefighters were having a minimum height of about 1.6 metres and at least weigh 50 kg. The minimum weight for women firefighters was set at 40 kg and height norms were also reduced. While relaxing the norms, the work description for woman firefighters has been kept exactly the same.

Taniya Sanyal, who has done masters in Botany, has been appointed for AAI’s eastern region airports that include Kolkata, Patna, Bhubaneswar, Raipur, Gaya and Ranchi. Once she completes her training at Kolkata firefighting centre, she will be working at one of these airports.

An elated Sanyal said: “It is a matter of pride and great honour for me. I always wanted to do something challenging. Firefighting is a very noble calling.” Asked if her family supported her when she wanted to take up this job, she said “everyone supported me”.

Related Topics:AAI Firefighters Indian Airports

Aviation

Embraer Opens Applications for 2025 Software and Data Science Training Initiative

Embraer, a global leader in aerospace and innovation, is now accepting applications for its 2025 Specialization Program in Software and Data Science (PES).

This nine-month postgraduate course, conducted in partnership with the Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), offers remote classes, an initial financial aid of R$ 3,000, and monthly scholarships of R$ 5,000. With only 30 spots available, the program is designed to prepare professionals to meet the growing demands of Embraer’s technology-driven future.

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Andreza Alberto, Embraer’s Vice President of People, ESG, and Corporate Communications, highlights the strategic importance of the program: “We have a robust plan focused on technological innovation and efficiency. The aerospace industry is highly competitive, and we’re confident in the bright future ahead. The demand for professionals who complete this specialization is rising, with over 95% of graduates being hired by Embraer.”

Professor Adriano Sarmento, PES program coordinator at UFPE, adds: “The program offers students a unique education where theory meets real-world applications. The close interaction with professors and Embraer experts enhances this experience, and the curriculum is updated yearly to stay aligned with the latest technological trends.”

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The PES program will train 10 specialists in Data Science and 20 in Embedded Software. Applicants must have graduated between 2019 and 2024 in Exact Sciences and are encouraged to have advanced English skills. Registration is free and must be completed by November 10 at www.embraer.com/pes.

The selection process includes an exam covering Algorithms, Data Structures, Probability, and Mathematics for Computer Science, followed by an interview. Results will be announced by February, with classes starting in March.

The course combines theoretical learning with a hands-on capstone project, all under the mentorship of UFPE and Embraer professionals. Throughout the program, students will also engage in activities that build essential soft skills, complementing their technical education.