- A Small Booth with a Big Message: Inspiring Young Girls to Fly
- Nivedita Bhasin on the Legacy and Future of the 99s India
By Sangeeta Saxena
Hyderabad. 31 January 2026. At Wings India 2026, amid aircraft displays and high-level industry discussions, one booth stood out for its quiet but powerful message—the booth of The Ninety-Nines (99s) India, the world’s oldest international organisation of women pilots. Aviation & Defence Universe (ADU) spoke with Nivedita Bhasin, one of India’s oldest women pilot, most respected aviator and a leading voice for women in aviation, about why visibility, mentorship, history and inspiration matter as much as flying hours. From young children in pilot uniforms to scholarships, global conclaves and legacy stories from the 1950s, the conversation captured how the 99s are nurturing the next generation of women aviators while preserving a remarkable heritage.
ADU. You have a booth here at Wings India 2026. What was the thought behind setting it up this time.
Nivedita Bhasin. “So we put up a booth over here for the 99s India section and you know that we had a conclave and you know that we had a conclave in Delhi, so after that conclave we decided that it was very important to give visibility to the 99s in India because we had invited 109 women pilots from across the world. So this time at Wings India 2026 we put up a booth. It’s a tiny booth but we are showcasing our history and how we have evolved through the years.”
ADU. What role does the 99s play in encouraging women to take up aviation in India.
Nivedita Bhasin. “How along with the Indian Women Pilots Association, the 99s which is the only all women pilots organisation in India, you know, we are promoting women and we mentor them, to inspire them to take up flying and introducing them to a career in aviation. So we are not collaborating with any flying school or college, you know, to give them direction on where to go for their flying training. What we are doing is inspiring them and their parents that it’s a wonderful profession to be in and they should surely look into this direction.”
ADU. You seem especially happy interacting with young visitors here. Why is that important.
Nivedita Bhasin. “So we had a lot of youngsters. This boy here is 8 so brave to be in a pilot’s uniform. He knows about all the airlines, flights and other aviation details This is why it’s important, because it’s very important for the younger generation, for the young girls to come up and meet the general population. They need exposure, they need to be able to explain what the organisation is doing and what we are all about.”
ADU. Your booth has seen a lot of footfall. What’s attracting so many students and visitors.
Nivedita Bhasin. “So our booth has seen a lot of visitors this time because of the fact that there are many FTOs and their students are coming here. They are very fascinated by the fact that they are reading that we also give scholarships. So most of them want scholarships which we are not able to offer at this point of time, but we can only offer minimal. You saw at the Conclave when we had delegates from all over the world—109 of them—so we have a little reserve now that we wish to give as a scholarship and that will be the beginning.”
ADU. Are you also working with institutions and government initiatives.
Nivedita Bhasin. “Yes, because we partnered with Vidyanjali’s team of the government. When the students come here, we tell them if you want to call us to your schools or colleges to talk about the 99s, we can be there. It’s very important that the younger generation, especially young girls, get this exposure.”
ADU. How are younger women pilots stepping into leadership roles within the organisation.
Nivedita Bhasin. “They are now taking over the mantra of the older generation, which is very true. The old order has to change—old order changes giving place to new. I think it’s quite nice because this girl Chandana, she was there, you saw her, she was in charge of IT and now she has got into IndiGo. Supriya has completed her commercial and is now waiting for a job. And one of our pilots here, Komal—you saw her also at VINCIT last year—she has got a job with Aman Aviation as a helicopter pilot. She has written a book. It’s all about encouraging, mentoring, fostering a safe place for women to be.”
ADU. How important is preserving the legacy and history of the 99s.
Nivedita Bhasin. “At the same time, preserving our history and telling every Indian that this is where we started from—from the 1950s—and here we are in 2026, how far we have reached and why. Because of the struggles of these four brave ladies, the six founders, the six charter members who started our organisation. Otherwise, it’s not possible for all of us to come up. So sharing our stories, sharing our journeys, kids are having a good fun time over here, which is wonderful.”
The conversation with Nivedita Bhasin at Wings India 2026 revealed that the 99s India is far more than a pilots’ organisation—it is a living bridge between history and the future. Through mentorship, storytelling, limited but meaningful scholarships, school outreach and global partnerships, the 99s continue to create safe, inspiring spaces for women and young girls to imagine careers in aviation. From preserving the legacy of its founders to celebrating children in pilot uniforms who already speak the language of aircraft and engines, the organisation’s presence at Wings India 2026 reaffirmed a simple truth. Representation, inspiration and continuity are as vital to aviation as runways and aircraft.
