Daughter of Bangali village in Nandanager, Priyanka follows family’s military tradition; her achievement inspires girls across Uttarakhand
Dehradun: A daughter of Uttarakhand’s mountains has added another achievement to the state’s long association with the armed forces. Priyanka Negi, a native of Bangali village in the Nandanager area of Chamoli district, has been commissioned as a Flying Officer in the Indian Air Force (IAF). Her commissioning has brought pride to her family and triggered celebrations in her native village and adjoining areas.
Coming from a family with a military background, Priyanka’s journey from the hills to the Indian Air Force reflects a combination of academic achievement, determination and disciplined preparation. Her success is being viewed by residents as particularly significant for young women in the state’s hill districts who aspire to pursue careers in the armed forces.
Priyanka completed her schooling at Army Public School, Lucknow. She subsequently pursued a BTech in Computer Science and Engineering from Graphic Era University, completing her technical education before setting her sights on a career as an officer in the Indian Air Force.
After deciding to join the armed forces, Priyanka underwent the rigorous selection process and subsequently received professional training at the Air Force Training College (AFTC), Bengaluru. Following the successful completion of her training, she was commissioned into the IAF as a Flying Officer.
Her training batch comprised 118 cadets, including Indian trainees as well as cadets from friendly foreign countries. The completion of training and subsequent commissioning marked an important milestone in Priyanka’s career and also carried forward her family’s association with military service.
Her father, Itwar Singh, served in the Signals Corps of the Indian Army and retired from service at the rank of Subedar. Her mother is a homemaker. The family’s roots lie in Bangali village in Nandanager, Chamoli.
For the people of the region, Priyanka’s achievement is more than a personal milestone. Uttarakhand has traditionally had a strong presence in India’s armed forces, with a large number of families from the hill districts associated with military service. Priyanka’s commissioning adds a new dimension to that tradition, particularly by highlighting the growing participation of women from the state in the armed forces.
Residents said Priyanka’s journey would encourage students, especially girls from rural and mountainous areas, to pursue ambitious career goals instead of allowing geographical or social limitations to determine their future.
Her achievement also underlines the role of education in opening new opportunities. From completing an engineering degree in computer science to undergoing specialised military training, Priyanka combined technical education with her ambition to serve the country in uniform.
Family members, relatives, villagers and well-wishers have congratulated Priyanka and wished her a successful career in the Indian Air Force. They expressed confidence that she would continue to bring laurels to her family, village and Uttarakhand through her service.
For Bangali village and the Nandanager region, the commissioning of Priyanka Negi as a Flying Officer has become a moment of collective pride. For many young girls watching her journey, it is also a reminder that the road from a remote Himalayan village can lead to some of the country’s most prestigious and challenging careers.