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Summary of Question:	My Dreams Vs. My Family's Dreams
Category:	Hair
Date Posted:	Monday, 8/04/2003 1:50 AM MDT

Sat Sri Akal

Firstly i would like to thank you and say God bless u ppl for all the hard work and sacrifice u all put in to keep this site running.... and the time u all take to reply to the hundred and one questions u all get a day.......thanks for caring for us youth. we appreciate it

I am 23 years old. all my life, i have wanted to be a fighter pilot. my parents were against it because they they say it won't get me a good life financially (true, the pay is low). i had bad eyesight, and another physical sickness which i have since managed to fix. I have overcome all these obstacles....only to now face a dilemma. I say dilemma because what i have to face now is NOT an obstacle.

Though my parents were against it, i took every single test required to become an air force pilot. i even got my degree in aeronautical engineering to make sure i had a future in case i failed. I come from a very orthodox family. On my mothers side and fathers side, not a single person has shorn their hair....i have 24 cousins. all are p'ka sardars. The dilemma i face is, i want to be a pilot..and i cant because of my patka. I dont trim my beard, thank God it is naturally very short. The air force has offered me a guaranteed flight slot in a top-notch fighter if i crop my hair. My family is against it, they say it isnt worth it. I achieved the HIGHEST GRADES in the whole country for EVERY SINGLE TEST, both physical, written and practical. What do i do? my family is a family which follow the TRADITION of long hair, not the RELIGIOUS side of it.....my dad who is 50 years old doesnt even understand the full reason we sikhs keep long hair....he just followed what his parents told him to do. my parents expect the same

We are supposed to be warriors of virtue. I no longer send mails to the air force, THEY twice called me asking if i accepted my place....i am supposed to report in 3 weeks for my flight post. i have given all my effort into getting what i want....i am at the edge of victory. i overcame myopia, basilar's migraine and parental opposition. Now what do i do???


**************Reply**********************

So maybe it is time to take them on... many pilots in Indian fly with a patka
and do so with distinction and courage.

My personal advice

1. Accept and show up at the academy and challenge them so see if they will be fair and accept you...

2. IF not you will become the lightening rod for all of us to rally behind and go to court and maybe get the rules changed.

Remember they did not let girls in at a time and those rules changed so why cant these.

We will support you

Be as strong as the warrior in you

SSM

if you need help I will be glad to stand with you personally. you can email me here and I will call you back if needed.