By
Shevlin Sebastian
Captain
Radhika Menon is on a roll. The first female captain of the Indian
Merchant Navy has bagged another award. This time, the Ministry of
Women and Child Development is presenting a 'First Ladies' Award to
her at a function at Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 20. A ministry
communication stated: 'This is an initiative to recognise women who
had the courage to tread an unusual path and succeeded in being the
first in their respective professions. Our aim is to empower and
encourage the women of our country.”
Earlier,
Radhika had won the International Maritime Organisation (IMO)
Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea. This is for her role in the
rescue of seven fishermen from a sinking fishing boat off the coast
of Orissa on June 22, 2015. She is also the first woman to win this
award. It was presented to Radhika at a function of the IMO at London
on November 21, 2016.
At
that time, Radhika had said, “To be honest, I was not trying to win
an award when I initiated the rescue operation. Instead, I considered
it my duty. But, yes, the recognition from the IMO is memorable and I
am humbled and honoured.”
On April
5, 2016, National Maritime Day, the National Maritime Day Celebration
Committee of India conferred the 'Seafarers Gallantry Award' on her.
Radhika
was appointed as captain in early 2013 and usually, she handles an
all-male crew. “They know me well, and have no problems in taking
orders from me,” she says. “Do remember I have been with the
Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) for about 26 years.” Radhika
did a one-and-a-half year radio course at the All India Marine
College in Kochi before she became a radio officer in SCI, the first
woman to do so in India.
But
it has not been a smooth journey. “As compared to a male officer, I
am scrutinised much more,” she says. “I try to avoid making
mistakes. If I do make one, it will be talked about, and never
forgotten. My attitude is simple: if a hurdle has been placed in
front of you, then you will have to clear it.”
(The
New Indian Express, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram)
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