Captain Abhilasha Barak is a serving officer in the Indian Army. She is famous for being the first combat helicopter pilot in India and the Indian Army.
Wiki/Biography
Abhilasha Barak was born in 1994 in Wellington, Tamil Nadu, India (28 years old; as of 2022). Abhilasha comes from a military family, so she often moves from one place to another. Therefore, she completed her studies in different schools. From 2008 to 2010, she attended Sanawa Lawrence School. Then, from 2010 to 2012, Abhilasha studied at Tagore International School in Vasant Vihar, New Delhi. She graduated from the same school with 12th rank. After completing her studies in 2012, Abhilasha Barak joined Delhi Technological University (DTU) where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering. Abhilasha joined the Officers Training Academy in 2017.
family
Captain Abhilasha Barak hails from a family in Rohtak, Haryana.
Parents and siblings
Her father is a retired Indian Army officer. He retired with the rank of colonel. She also has a brother; he is an Indian Army officer. In 2013, he collapsed from the Indian Military Academy.
husband
Her marital status is unknown.
Profession
Career before joining Indian Army
Abhilasha Barak is an outstanding student. While she was pursuing her graduation in engineering, she was selected as an intern in several reputed private and government organizations. In 2014, Abhilasha was selected as an intern by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), India’s premier defense research agency. After working with DRDO, Abhilasha completed a short-term internship with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India. In 2015, Abhilasha Barak was selected as an intern at The Smart Cube. After completing her engineering degree in 2016, Abhilasha Barak found a job as a business technology analyst with the multinational company Deloitte US.
Decision to join the Indian Army
Initially, Abhilasha Barak had no intention of joining the Indian Army as an officer. She changed her decision when her father, Colonel S. Om Singh, retired from the Indian Army and the family transitioned from military life to civilian life. Abhilasha attended her brother’s graduation parade at the Indian Military Academy in 2013, which further cemented her decision. Abhilasha Barak said in an interview,
I didn’t realize this until my dad retired in 2011 and our family moved out of military life (it makes a big difference). This feeling became even stronger after watching my brother’s death parade at the Indian Military Academy in 2013. At that moment I knew what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. “
After a year at Deloitte US, Abhilasha decided to fill out the form to appear before the Service Selection Board (SSB). She cleared the selection process in her first attempt, after which Abhilasha joined the Officers Training Academy in Chennai.
Abhilasha Barak undergoes training at Officers Training Academy, Chennai
Career after joining Indian Army
After successfully completing rigorous training on September 7, 2018, Abhilasha Barak was commissioned into the Army Air Defense Force. After joining the force, Abhilasha was sent to attend the Army Air Defense Young Officers (YO) course. She received an “A” grade in the course. She was then sent to complete her air traffic management and aviation law courses; a course in which Abhilasha scored 75.70%. Abhilasha Barak had always dreamed of becoming a helicopter pilot, so she decided to take the pilot proficiency test. Abhilasha successfully cleared the Pilot Ability Test (PABT) and Computerized Pilot Selection System (CPSS), after which she was sent to the Army Aviation Training School (CATS) in Nashik, Maharashtra for training. Abhilasha said in an interview,
In 2018, after completing my training at the Officers Training Academy, Chennai, I chose to join the Army Aviation. When I filled out the form, I knew I was only qualified for ground duties, but I eventually mentioned that I had previously passed the Pilot Aptitude Battery Test and the Computerized Pilot Selection System in one go. Somewhere in my mind, I always knew that the day was not far away when the Indian Army would start recruiting women as combat pilots. “
Abhilasha Barak dons pilot uniform
Join Indian Army Army Aviation
Abhilasha Barak underwent six months of rigorous training at the Army Aviation Training School (CATS). She completed her training on May 25, 2022. In 2021, there were a total of 15 applications from female officers from different branches of the Indian Army; Abhilasha Barak and another female officer were shortlisted for pilot training. The young pilot said in an interview,
Not many people know this, but during Operation Meghdot in 1987, my father led a patrol from Amal Post to Bana Dinh Post (earlier Quaid Post, then occupied by Pakistan). Due to the bad weather, my father suffered from cerebral edema and was immediately taken back to the Amal post and promptly evacuated. He owed his life to the Army Air Corps, and so do I. “
Ahilasha Barak wears aviation wings on her uniform
After completing six months of training, Abhilasha Barak was posted to the 2072 Army Aviation Squadron of the Indian Army as a pilot. The squadron primarily operates a weaponized variant of the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv, known as the Rudra.
Abhilasha Barak stands with her colleagues after successfully completing pilot training
Awards, Honors, Achievements
In 2022, Captain Abhilasha Barak was awarded the Silver Cheetah Excellence Award for her outstanding performance in training.
Abhilasha Barak wins Cheetah Silver Award
Facts/Trivia
- Abhilasha Barak was also selected as the Army Air Defense Task Force Commander during the regimental flag presentation ceremony. The honor was presented by the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind.
- During her training at the Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai, Abhilasha Barak learned Judo, a form of martial arts, for which she even got distinction.
- Abhilasha Barak loves horse riding.
- Abhilasha Barak clears Part B exam in first attempt; Military Promotion Examination
- Abhilasha Barak passed the Army Aviation Training School (CATS) training with distinction. She topped the list of merit and even received a medal for it.
Abhilasha Barak wins first place and medal during CATS training
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education