‘That is Rashika, my daughter’: At Red Fort, Flying Officer’s family beams with pride
At the Independence Day event, Flying Officer Rashika Sharma assisted Prime Minister Narendra Modi in hoisting the Tricolour.
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Rashika's family at the Red Fort event today.As Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the national flag on Independence Day at Delhi’s Red Fort, assisted by Flying Officer Rashika Sharma, a woman seated in enclosure no. 10 clapped with all her might.
Minutes after the Tricolour was unfurled, two Mi-17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force flew overhead, showering flower petals on the crowd. It was at this moment that the woman smiled and said, “That is Rashika, my daughter.”
Her eyes darted back to the ceremonial stage, where Rashika, 27, stood beside the Prime Minister, assisting him in the formal salute to the nation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoists the National Flag during the 79th Independence Day celebration at the Red Fort, in New Delhi, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (PTI Photo)
“I feel so proud today, seated here in the audience,” said Rashika’s mother, Durgesh Nandini, 52.
Nandini, dressed in a green saree and wearing black aviators, was accompanied by her husband and son to the event. She said she has always been sure of her daughter’s talent and willpower. “Wherever she goes, whatever she does, it would be the best,” she told The Indian Express.
Nandini said they only found out on Thursday that her daughter would be assisting the Prime Minister. “She had been practicing for one and a half months. There were four other women on the list, and in the end, she was the one selected.”
Rashika, who hails from Jaipur, is a 2021-22 batch Flying Officer. She completed her higher education from All Saints Church School and holds a Master’s degree in Psychology from Jaipur’s Maharani College.
Reflecting on her daughter’s growing-up years, her mother said she was one of the well-known parents at her daughter’s schools and college. “I was recognised as her mother — and even today, I’m here because of her,” she said.
Rashika’s father, Kamal Kishore Sharma (60), a retired government employee, quietly put on his sunglasses as he began speaking about his daughter — an attempt to hide his tear-filled eyes.
“She was preparing for the Civil Services but could not get through in her first attempt. Then she decided to give the Indian Air Force exam a shot,” he said.
“She made it in her first attempt,” he smiled.
“Following her training in Hyderabad, she joined the Udhampur base. During Operation Sindoor, she was… praised for her work.”
He said Rashika is a state-level basketball player who represented Himachal Pradesh. “Like all parents, I wanted my child to do well in life… But I never imagined it would happen this soon,” he added.
Rashika’s brother, Kashish Sharma (26), said she is his guiding force. “When I was in college, she once told me to follow my heart. That advice has stayed with me ever since,” he said.
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