IAF's first woman commissioned officer Dr Vijayalakshmi Ramanan dies at 96

Bengaluru, October 21

Wing Commander Dr Vijayalakshmi Ramanan (retd), the first woman commissioned officer of the Indian Air Force, has died at the age of 96.

Ramanan, a recipient of Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM), died peacefully due to old-age ailments on Sunday at her daughter’s home here, her son-in-law SLV Narayan said.

Born in February 1924, she did her MBBS and later was commissioned in the Army Medical Corps on August 22, 1955, and was seconded to the Air Force with effect from the same day.

She served as a gynaecologist at various Air Force Hospitals. Ramanan was promoted to the rank of Wing Commander in August 1972, and honoured with the Vishist Seva Medal five years later. She retired in February 1979.

Her husband late KV Ramanan was also an Indian Air Force officer.

She is survived by a daughter and a son. — PTI