By: Varda Sharma
With the appointment of Taniya Sanyal (25) as the first woman fire-fighter by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the Indian women are now literally rubbing shoulders with their male counterparts in almost every possible field. Hitherto considered to be male dominated profession, Taniya has now changed the trend and underwent gruelling four and half months training in New Delhi along with her 54 male colleagues.
“I am thoroughly enjoying the strict training schedule. It is taxing, very tiring, yet I am enjoying it to the fullest,” says Taniya with a smile. “Every day I am becoming stronger both physically and mentally. I have set a steep target for myself and shall leave no stones unturned to achieve it,” she adds.
Taniya always desired to do something different and challenging. After completing her MSC in Botany from Barasat Government College, 2015, she saw an advertisement by the Airports Authority of India in the newspaper for fire fighting recruitment examination. Taniya knew at once this was her calling and sat for the examination and got qualified for the junior assistant level in fire service.
“After passing the online written examination, I was selected for the driving and physical examination,” says Taniya who passed both the examinations with flying colours.
How does she feel to be venturing into an all male dominated profession? Well, says Taniya, “this is what makes her job more exciting and challenging.” “It is satisfying to learn that AAI is recruiting women at par with men. I have always believed that the hidden meaning of the word “Impossible” is “I am possible” and with the same belief I had applied for this role,” she says.
Journey so far, for Taniya, is like a dream come true. “I had always dreamt to do something meaningful; something exceptional and that is exactly what I am doing these days,” says Taniya with a sense of satisfaction.
Taniya is currently awaiting her first posting. “I can be posted as junior assistant in fire service in the Eastern zone,” she says.
“Women symbolize power i.e. ‘Shakti’,” says Taniya adding that there is nothing that women cannot do these days. “Only thing necessary is to dream and be focussed on our goal,” she adds.
Taniya is aware of the tough and challenging road ahead but is determined to defy all odds with grit and determination. “That is how women are built by Lord Almighty. We can absorb all pain and difficulties to soar high in any field just like our male counterparts,” says Taniya adding that “it is not the physical /social barrier but only the mental barrier that women need to overcome.”
