Taniya
“Woman symbolises power; there is nothing that we can’t do. The only thing that is necessary is to dream and focus in on our goal. We have to put all our dedication and determination towards it.”
Taniya is a driven and zealous trailblazer, forging her own path in 2018 to become India’s first female aviation firefighter. This position requires specialized and intensive training for immediate responses to aircraft fires, as well as rescue and medical emergencies. In a field that is especially demanding, her success has come from her ability to rise to any challenge and operate effectively outside of her comfort zone. Working in this profession has allowed her to serve others while providing crucial visibility in a male-dominated sphere, becoming a beacon of female representation for the next generation of firefighters. This is Taniya’s story.
K: Please introduce yourself!
T: First of all, thank you for having this conversation. I am Taniya Sanyal, India's first female aviation firefighter.
As you know, the journey is always better than the destination. For me too, this is applicable. Let me share my story with you guys.
I completed my formal education by doing my master’s in Botany but thought about doing something out of the box. My parents always said I could do anything I desire, so I listened to the voice of my own soul. After my master’s I was preparing for government services (India), when I saw an advertisement in the paper regarding recruitment of aviation firefighters; I was very sure that this was it. So, I applied, and today I am standing here as a successful aviation firefighter with flying colors.
What I just shared with you is just a page of my entire story, and I feel I have not reached my destination yet, though I am in love with my journey.
K: How would you describe yourself?
T: I'd like to describe myself as an ambitious and driven person. I am extremely passionate about what I do, always curious to learn new things, and I always seek my source of motivation which helps me to perform better. I am definitely a highly organized person, I like to keep a clean workplace.
I love meeting new people and discovering new places, and I always try to find happiness in everything. I like to think of myself as a fun-loving and joyful person and I am definitely creative and practical .
K: What is your favorite thing about yourself?
T: I always believed that the hidden meaning of the word "impossible" is “I am possible.” With the same belief, I applied for this role.
K: Tell us a story. Have you had an experience that has defined you or made you stronger?
T: My training experience. My initial training for my job happened in the Fire Training Center, New Delhi (India). It took almost 5 months to complete the training before joining as a firefighter; I was the only girl in the training center. It was taxing, very tiring, yet I enjoyed it to the fullest. I learned many things about firefighting. My trainers and peers were also male but they supported me. I think if you want to do something great then you have to step out from your comfort zone; that is what I did. The early days of training were to me like a mountain, where I had to make my way. I have never done such serious physical exercise before. It was difficult and very hard for me. After that, I completed various drills and classes. A tough schedule for anyone. Finally, I successfully completed the training with badges on my shoulders.
K: What does being a woman mean to you?
T: Woman symbolises power; there is nothing that we can’t do. The only thing that is necessary is to dream and focus in on our goal. We have to put all our dedication and determination towards it. We must remember that women and men are complimentary to each other. The women’s movement is not just a battle, it should be an attempt to be “shoulder to shoulder” with men in their own right.
K: Who is one woman that inspires you? What would you say to them if they were here now?
T: My grandmother. I always follow my grandmother, she is the biggest inspiration I have in my life. She was also a govt employee of India, but unfortunately I lost her during my job selection period.
So I would want to say to her that "I did it,” I fulfilled your dream...our dream.