You are in the army now…

Manika Ahuja

The clarion call of the Indian Army—‘Do you have it in you, now has a fair share of women voice answering it, “Yes, we do.” And indeed they do. Now, with another wing of defence forces, the Indian Navy according permanent commission to women officers, following the lead of Air Force and Indian Army, is it not a sign that the tough guys have recognised at long last that women do have what it takes to serve the defence forces?

And mind you, women are not asking for any concession when it comes to testing their physical strength. Sub Lieutenant in the Indian Navy, Nikita Kashyap, says female officers are as robust and sturdy as their male counterparts. “The level of training is equally rigorous for both, male and female officers.” The news of women being granted the permanent commission has re-awakened an interest among the fairer sex to serve selflessly in the Indian defence forces. She warmly embraces to the move as, “We are being given the glorious opportunity to serve our motherland for a longer period of time. Nothing could be more delightful than this!”

And it was about time! Assistant director, Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute, Sukhpreet Thind, hails the change as a much-needed one. She observes that Chennai girl, Divya Ajith, who made history by becoming the first lady cadet to bag the sword of honour from the Officers Training Academy, proved that girls and boys are equally capable.

Daughter of an Army man, Neha Sharma, has aspired to join the forces, ever since sense dawned upon her. “My father derived a distinct contentment by serving the nation. I want to take forward the legacy,” she shares. This move has enthused even those who are from non-defence background. “Many of my peers have started preparing after they heard of the new openings and permanent commission status grant for women.”

Administrative officer-cum-office manager with Olive Greens SSB training institute, Honorary Lieutenant Vijay Kumar, informs that viz a viz male cadets, “the ratio of girl clearing the defence forces exams is much higher.” According to him, the move to grant permanent commission to women will provide “surety to the female aspirants who were previously inducted only in the short service commission (SSC) for a period of ten to fourteen years.”

Ritu Rani has been training for defence forces for the last two years now. Having cleared her written exams for the Air Force and CDS, Rani, who is now gearing up for her SSB round, shares that the permanent commission grant concurs with the concept of women empowerment. “We women will now be able to serve out motherland for an extended period and will also be entitled to other benefits like pension.” Apoorva Trivedi, who is enrolled for the defence preparation at a Chandigarh-based training centre, shares similar sentiments.

Monika Negi, student of Chandigarh Group of Colleges, Landran, who has recently cleared AFCAT written exam and is gearing up for her five-day SSB training advises every girl to “grab this wonderful opportunity and try cracking the prestigious defence forces with greater level of seriousness.” She suggests that the minimum qualification for women aspirants to be eligible for joining the defence forces should be brought down. “Boys are allowed to enter after class 12. Also, girls should be deemed eligible for the NDA exam,” she observes.