YUBA city, hither to known only for Didar Singh Bains and its
other peach farmers, now has another claim to fame. Shes
Harshmir Kaur Gill, one of the first women of East Indian descent
to have been commissioned as an officer in the US Air Force.
Harshmir has always been ahead of her time. She was 16 when she
completed her studies at Yuba City High School and only20 when
she graduated from California State University, Sacramento. Born
soon after her parents immigrated to the US in 80, when
Reserve Officer Training Corps Program came up, she was quick
to grab it.
Its an exiting profession, she beams, and
gives me the opportunity to travel the world. Though initially
apprehensive about her choice, parent- Tara gill, who has been
working for a packaging firm, and mother Nirdosh, who runs a trucking
company- were thrilled to see their daughter in uniform.
Its nice to see people salute her, smiles Nirdosh,
whos made sure Harshmir can both read and write Punjabi.
The wings did not come easy. It took a lot of determination
to keep up with the hectic schedule, but it just reminded me that
I really wanted to do it, she says. The Air Force, says
the girl who loves gorging on Punjabi and Italian cuisine, has
made her a lot more fitter and confident. The Air Force
gives me a lot of opportunities to travel, get my education, see
the world and serve my country at the same time,
Gills dream: to pursue a masters degree in counseling
and become a psychologist.
Source: Indian Express
Dated: August15, 2002