On International Day of the Girl Child, Air India Captain Archana Kapoor has shared an inspiring message for young girls who have been told that their dreams are beyond their reach. Through an open letter, the Senior Commander of the Boeing 787 reflects on her journey from aspiring to become an Air Force pilot as a schoolgirl to building a career in military and commercial aviation.

Her journey began in Class 6, when she told her father, a helicopter pilot in the Indian Air Force, that she wanted to follow in his footsteps. However, he told her that pilots did not wear glasses and that there were no women pilots in the Air Force at the time. He suggested that she consider becoming a doctor instead.

Although she explored other career options, including engineering, space exploration and the police service, her dream of flying never faded. Along with her friends, she even wrote letters to ministers, army officials and leaders, asking why women could not become Air Force pilots.

A turning point came in 1992, when the Indian Air Force announced that women would be inducted as pilots. In 1994, Kapoor became one of the first fourteen women selected to join the Air Force Academy.

One experience from her early career remains particularly close to her heart. A senior navigator once admitted that he had been nervous about flying with her because she was a woman. During a difficult mission in poor weather conditions, Kapoor and her team completed the task safely and returned home. Following the flight, the officer apologised and asked her to bless his newborn daughter, hoping she would grow up to be like Kapoor.

For her, the incident was a reminder that professional ability and dedication can challenge long-held beliefs about what women can achieve.

During her decade in the Air Force, Kapoor earned distinctions in flying and ground subjects and qualified for roles that many had once considered beyond women's reach. She later moved into commercial aviation, beginning another chapter in her career.

As an instructor on the Airbus A320 fleet, she discovered the importance of sharing knowledge and helping other pilots build confidence. Her subsequent role as a Senior Flight Operations Inspector with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) gave her a deeper understanding of aviation safety, accountability and the responsibility involved in every flight.

Her career eventually brought her to Air India, where she continued to learn and take on new challenges. Transitioning to the Boeing 787 was another opportunity to expand her skills and experience. Today, as a Senior Commander on the Boeing 787, Kapoor values the culture of learning and mentorship within the airline. She believes that professional success is rarely achieved alone and that experienced aviation professionals have an important role in guiding younger pilots.

She also highlights how much opportunities for women in aviation have changed over the years. Having once been part of a profession where women in cockpits were uncommon, she now sees more young women entering the field with greater confidence and support.

For Kapoor, leadership goes beyond authority. It involves building trust, bringing teams together and ensuring the safety, comfort and wellbeing of passengers. The discipline and responsibility she developed throughout her career continue to guide her work.

Her message to young girls is simple: setbacks and doubts should not decide the limits of their ambitions. She encourages them to remain patient, have faith in themselves and understand that every stage of their journey can prepare them for opportunities they may not yet imagine.

Reflecting on her own experience, Kapoor recalls how she once worked in Air India's cargo division while hoping for an opportunity to fly. Today, she commands a Boeing 787 across continents, a journey she could hardly have imagined at the time.

Her message on International Day of the Girl Child is a reminder that determination, self-belief and the courage to challenge expectations can help turn ambitious dreams into reality. As Capt. Archana Kapoor's journey shows, the limits placed on young girls do not have to define how far they can go.