There is no scope for gender politics at the air traffic control of an airport even on International Women’s Day and the four women air traffic controllers working at Ahmedabad airport are aware of this.
There is no scope for gender politics at the air traffic control (ATC) of an airport even on International Women’s Day and the four women air traffic controllers working at Ahmedabad airport are aware of this.
They are as good at their work as the 54 male air traffic controllers who also work at the city airport, and this is perhaps why they get on so well with their male colleagues. They all know that one small mistake by them can put the lives of hundreds of passengers in danger.
The main job of air traffic controllers is to direct aircraft on the ground and in the air, and assist pilots in keeping aircraft ‘separate’ so that they do not collide with each other.
The controllers also organise and expedite the flow of air traffic, and provide information and other support to pilots where possible.
The four women controllers work with their 54 male counterparts in different shifts round the clock at the city’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (SVP) International Airport.
Is there any upside or downside to being a woman in a sea of men and that also in such a highly technical field? “No!” is the unanimous response. All the four women said they get on very well with their male counterparts. “We (men and women) have the same responsibility,” said Aryama Sanyal, joint general manager, ATC, Ahmedabad airport.
“In fact, we complement each other at work. There is no question of gender discrimination in this office. Once you are in the seat of a controller, your gender doesn’t matter.”
Sanyal is a pioneer among women in the country in joining the ATC service. And it is for this reason that the civil aviation ministry has chosen to felicitate her in a grand manner in New Delhi on International Woman’s Day for her contributions to the aviation sector.
Besides Sanyal, there are three other women controllers at the Ahmedabad airport. They are Jagriti Gupta (the youngest employee in the office), Sheetal Trivedi who shares her office with her husband Dinesh Tripathi, and Rishu Rastogi.
"Safety is the main concern of all air traffic controllers," said Trivedi.
"A controller, man or woman, must leave her emotions at home and concentrate on ensuring safe journey for passengers. Being a woman amid so many men does not affect our work. We share all responsibilities equally. And, yes, we can't gossip at all."
Trivedi, who has spent many years at the ATC Ahmedabad, arrived here from Mumbai airport. All the four women sounded very positive about their work and their male colleagues.
They have their families, friends and relatives but all these are relegated to the second place when they (the controllers) are in control at ATC. "I am from Madhya Pradesh," said Gupta. "Right from childhood, I was treated as an equal of my brothers. There was never any discrimination because of gender. I never thought I would work as an air traffic controller one day but I am immensely satisfied with my job. There is a huge element of risk in our work and to handle that, you need to have faith in yourself and the pilots."
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