Mrs. Usha Padhee, Joint Secretary in the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation, got a rare opportunity on Thursday when she was assigned with the task of coordinating the event that witnessed PM Modi flagging off first #UDAN flight by PM Modi in Shimla.

“It was a proud privilege to be part of flagging off of 1st #UDAN flt by Hon’ @PMOIndia. Life time experience for me to coordinate the event”, she tweeted along with the pictures.

The UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme is a first-of-its-kind scheme globally to stimulate regional connectivity through a market-based mechanism. It would ensure Airfare for a one-hour journey of approximately 500 kms on a fixed wing aircraft or for 30-minute journey on a helicopter to be capped at Rs 2,500.

Usha Padhee, a 1996 batch IAS Officer, opted for central deputation in June 2015 along with her husband Arabinda Padhee. Usha Padhee was the Secretary, School & Mass Education, Odisha at that time.