The Sky of Memories: A Brother’s Anniversary and the Debt to a Forgotten Heroine

February 28, 2026 Today, my heart inevitably wanders back to that tragic moment in 1995 when my younger brother bid farewell to this world. He was a promising Mechanical Engineer in the Indian Air Force (IAF). After completing his engineering from Tambaram, Madras, he served brave machines like the MiG-21. Today, on his anniversary, as I turn the pages of an old album, three photographs bring an entire era to life before my eyes. These photos are not just my family history; they are witnesses to a time in the IAF when bravery and human compassion walked hand in handं

The MiG-21 and My Younger Brother In this photo, my late younger brother stands proudly in front of his MiG-21 fighter jet. This aircraft is a symbol of his technical mastery and unwavering commitment to the Air Force. The pride he felt as an engineer, keeping his planes ready for flight, is clearly visible on his faceं

My Father and Dr. Chanda (Agra Runway, 1966-67) In this photo, my late father (who was an IAF Police Officer) stands on the runway, to the right side of the aircraft. And, in that same photo, to the extreme right, stands Wing Commander Dr. Gita Chanda (Ghosh) in her dignified IAF uniform of a light blue blouse and navy blue sari. This photo is very special to me because it depicts the woman who not only created history but also rescued my family from a deep crisisं

source(internet) Dr. Gita Chanda: An Unheard and Forgotten History It was July 17, 1959. A Dakota aircraft was flying over North India. Standing behind three instructors was a young, fearless trainee—Dr. Gita Chanda. As soon as the signal came, she jumped fearlessly into the air. That historic 40-second journey gave India its first female paratrooper. Today, it is a matter of great pain and regret that the dust of time has blurred her courage. People often do not even know her nameं Before the Historic Flight This is a solo photo of Dr. Gita Chanda, taken just before that historic flight on July 17, 1959. She appears fully prepared in her parachute gear and helmet. To witness this historic moment, Air Marshal Arjan Singh (who later became Marshal of the Indian Air Force) was personally present in Agraं The Debt to a Savior and Guide In 1966-67, when my brother was only three years old and very ill, Dr. Gita Chanda was nothing less than an angel to us. My father was transferred from Agra to Jorhat (Assam). During that difficult time, it was Dr. Gita who used her medical authority and influence to cancel that transfer. I was 13 then and used to sit by my brother's bedside. I still remember how sweetly she talked to us about my brother's health during her rounds. Because of her compassion, our family could stay together in Agra and my brother's treatment was possible at the Military Hospital (MH)ं Today, when I remember my brother, my head bows in respect to that great paratrooper, sensitive doctor, and warrior. It is an irony that the woman who made history by jumping from the sky and helped countless families on the ground has no one to remember her today. This is my small effort to revive her kindness and her historic courageं