IAF's first female officer dies aged 96

Wing Commander (retired) Vijayalakshmi Ramanan, a recipient of Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) was born in February 1924 and did her MBBS before joining the defence forces.

Bengaluru: Wing Commander (retired) Vijayalakshmi Ramanan, the first female officer of the Indian Air Force (IAF), died in Bengaluru on Sunday night.

Ramanan, the primary official of the Indian Air Force was 96 years old. A recipient of Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM), Ramanan was born in February 1924 and did her MBBS before joining the Army Medical Corps on August 22, 1955. She was later transferred to the Indian air force.

Other than having filled in as a gynaecologist at different Air Force Hospitals, she also attended to soldiers injured during wars.

Ramanan was elevated to the position of Wing Commander in August 1972 before she resigned in February 1979.

Her husband late KV Ramanan was also an Indian Airforce officer.

Ramanan was a fan of Carnatic music and had been a singer with the All India Radio at a young age.