On most days, the sky is something we admire from afar. But for Captain Lohappriya Manisegaran, it is a place she proudly calls her workplace, a space where courage, sacrifice, and childhood dreams meet.

In conjunction with International Women’s Day, stories of resilience and determination continue to highlight the strength and capability of women across all fields. One such inspiring figure is Lohappriya Manisegaran, whose journey into the skies reflects courage, perseverance and a deep sense of duty to the nation.

Currently serving as a co-pilot at the Subang Air Base under the Pusat Latihan Terbang Taktikal (PLTT) Angkut, Lohappriya has carved a remarkable place for herself in Malaysia’s aviation history. In October 2020, she received her wings and became the first Malaysian Indian woman to serve as a pilot in the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), a milestone that brought pride not only to her family but also to the wider community.

Lohappriya’s path to the cockpit began long before she officially wore the Air Force uniform. Like many children, she was fascinated by airplanes and the vastness of the skies. However, what truly shaped her ambition was growing up in a military family. Her father served as an intelligence officer in the army and had participated in peacekeeping missions. Watching him dedicate his life to serving the nation left a deep impression on her.

“At first, it was just admiration. I wanted to be an officer like my father,” she recalled. “But as I grew older and learned more about the opportunities in the armed forces, I realised that becoming a pilot would allow me not only to achieve my childhood dream but also to serve my country.”

Determined to pursue that dream, Lohappriya joined Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia immediately after completing her Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM). The military university provided her with both academic and military training, a rigorous journey that lasted five years, including a foundation programme followed by a four-year engineering degree.

Life at the university was vastly different from that of a typical campus experience. Cadets were required to wear military uniforms, undergo strict discipline, and participate in continuous military training alongside their academic studies. Even semester breaks were largely dedicated to training exercises, leaving little time for extended holidays.

Despite the demanding schedule, Lohappriya described the experience as transformative. “The biggest difference between us and a normal university is the lifestyle. Our evenings, weekends and even most of our breaks were filled with military training,” she said. “But through that journey, we became a family.”

“I didn’t just gain a career in the military, I gained a family that stood by me through every challenge.”

Coming from a close-knit household as the only child, adapting to life away from home was initially one of the toughest challenges she faced. Having spent her entire childhood near her parents, the sudden shift to a structured military environment required both emotional and mental strength.

However, the strong support from her parents helped her overcome the adjustment. She credits both her father and mother for playing equally significant roles in shaping her journey. While her father’s career inspired her sense of duty, her mother made personal sacrifices to support the family, including leaving her job to care for her while her father was frequently away on duty.

“It’s thanks to both of them that I am who I am today,” she said. “My father inspired me to serve the nation, but my mother’s sacrifices and support gave me the strength to pursue my goals.”

Her perseverance paid off when she officially earned her pilot wings in October 2020, a moment she describes as the proudest of her life. Seeing the pride and happiness on her parents’ faces made every sacrifice worthwhile.

“That moment meant everything to me. All the hard work, sleepless nights and challenges suddenly felt meaningful,” she said.

Her achievement soon gained national attention, as she became the first Malaysian Indian woman pilot in the RMAF. While the recognition was overwhelming at first, Lohappriya humbly emphasised that many others from the community are also making significant contributions in the armed forces.

“The moment I received my wings and saw the pride in my parents’ faces, I knew every sacrifice was worth it.”

In fact, she revealed that five individuals from her training batch were from the Indian community, including herself. All five successfully became pilots, with three going on to fly fighter jets while two, including Lohappriya, pursued transport aviation.

Today, as one of the few women pilots in the Air Force, she acknowledges the responsibility that comes with representing women in a traditionally male-dominated field. However, she views this not as pressure but as a privilege.

“It is a big responsibility, but also an honour,” she said. “If my journey can inspire even one young girl to believe that she can achieve her dreams, then it means a lot.”

For Lohappriya, breaking stereotypes is an important part of that mission. She hopes that greater exposure of women in the armed forces will encourage more young women to explore careers beyond conventional expectations.

Her advice to young girls who aspire to enter fields such as aviation, defence, or other male-dominated industries is simple yet powerful: believe in yourself and stay committed to your dreams.

“Never let society’s expectations define what you should or should not do,” she said. “If you have a dream, work towards it with courage, consistency and self-belief.”

Beyond physical strength and discipline, she emphasises that mental resilience is crucial in aviation and military service. According to her, the ability to remain mentally strong is what ultimately helps individuals overcome the demanding challenges of the profession.

While her career requires long hours and time away from family, Lohappriya continues to receive unwavering support from her loved ones. She also expressed gratitude to her husband and in-laws for understanding the demands of her profession, which sometimes keeps her far from home.

Reflecting on her journey, she believes that true strength in a woman goes beyond physical endurance.

“To me, a strong woman is someone who rises despite fear and challenges, while also supporting others along the way,” she said. “Strength is not just about endurance, but also compassion, courage and staying true to your purpose.”

It belongs to those bold enough to dream beyond boundaries, strong enough to rise above doubt, and brave enough to soar where few have gone before. Captain Lohappriya did not just fly aircraft, she lifted the hopes of a generation of young girls who now dare to look at the sky and believe, “I can be there too.”

This is an exclusive story by Astro Ulagam. Any reproduction or adaptation requires prior consent from the interviewee to ensure accuracy. If referencing this article, please provide proper credit to Astro Ulagam along with a backlink in recognition of our editorial efforts.

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