Tea Seller’s Daughter Proves Sky Is The Limit; To Join IAF Beating Over Six Lakh Candidates

A tea seller’s daughter has created history by making it to the Indian Air Force (IAF). Aanchal Gangwal, 24, from Neemuch district in Madhya Pradesh, has been selected to the flying branch of the IAF. Aanchal said that her inspiration came from the IAF’s rescue efforts during the 2013 Uttarakhand floods.

“I was in Class 12 when the Uttarakhand floods happened. I was so impressed by the IAF’s rescue operations that I aspired to join the organisation. However, it could not happen soon after, as my personal situation was not conducive,” she said.

She says clearing the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) was no easy task.

Over the last five years, she faced the interview board five times, but was successful only on the sixth occasion. The results were declared on 7 June. Aanchal is among only 22 candidates selected nationally, for this position, and the only one from Madhya Pradesh. Over six lakh candidates across the country took the examination.

Her father, Suresh Gangwal, whose tea stall is situated at the Neemuch bus stand, proudly says his stock has risen ever since his daughter achieved this feat. “Now, everyone knows my tea stall,” he quips.