Ex-Indian Air Force Officer/Mountaineer/Writer/Motivational Speaker/Research Scholar
They say that a woman can be many things in her lifetime, adorning many roles. Personifying this adage and redefining its meaning, we have Squadron Leader Toolika Rani. From controlling the jet planes to climbing mountains to public speaking, writing, and clearing civil services Mains, she is a person who stretches her boundaries each time to prove that limits exist only in minds. An Ex Indian Air Force Officer, Mountaineer, Writer, Public Speaker, and Research Scholar these are just a few glimpses of her personality and many more areas are yet awaiting her time to manifest themselves.
An IAF Officer and Instructor
A performer since childhood, Toolika secured 16th place in Ch. Charan Singh University Merit list in graduation, won a Gold Medal at State level in NCC (National Cadet Corps) and was a national level debate champion. She was selected in Indian Air Force in her first attempt and was commissioned as a Flying Officer in 2005 in Administration Branch. She served in IAF for ten years as an Air Traffic Controller on Indo-Bhutan and Indo-Pak border. In her last tenure, she was appointed an Outdoor Training Instructor in the alma mater of all IAF officers the Indian Air Force Academy Hyderabad, where she trained hundreds of future officers in military training, including India’s first three female fighter pilots.
Atop the Highest Mountains
She started climbing mountains in 2009 as a member of the IAF Mountaineering team and went on to do 23 expeditions and treks in India, Russia, Nepal, Bhutan, Africa, and Iran. Toolika is the first woman from Uttar Pradesh to climb Mt. Everest and the first Indian woman to climb Asia’s highest volcano Mt. Damavand in Iran. For her outstanding feats she has been felicitated with Rani Laxmi Bai Veerta Puruskar by U.P. Govt., FICCI FLO Outstanding Global Woman Award, Stree Shakti Combatant Award, Global Excellence Award, Delhi Ratan, Meerut Ratan, Prathma Women Achievers Award, Hindustan Times Woman Award, and AspiringShe Woman Award.
A Powerful Orator
Sqn Ldr Toolika believes in the power of thoughts and words and is catalyzing society through her talks, lectures, and presentations. She has delivered 61 Motivational talks all across India including the prestigious international TEDx talk. An ardent supporter of equality, environment conservation, and humanity she delves deep into Indian philosophy to spread the message of hope, faith, the oneness of humanity, and sustainable living. Her thoughts, achievements, and powerful oratory reflect her deep belief in human capability, and virtues such as perseverance, hard work, and positivity.
A Writer and Public Figure
As a writer, Toolika writes on diverse topics such as gender rights, Buddhism, Indian philosophy, travel, and adventure sports, and geopolitics. Her articles and research papers are regularly published in national and international journals and newspapers. She is doing her Ph.D. on Sherpas of Nepal from Ambedkar University Lucknow. As a public figure Sqn Ldr Toolika is an advisory board member of Itvara (adventure forum, N. Delhi), The Ultimate Mentors (a group of professional mentors), and is Senior Research Fellow at DRaS (Defence Research and Studies). She has recently cleared UP Civil Services Mains examination 2019 and has written UPSC Central Civil Services Mains 2020. Indeed even the sky seems no limit for this ever-expanding talented lady! WomenShine salutes her and wishes her good luck in future endeavours!
-Team WS
