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