New Delhi: Since its independence on August 15, 1947, India has witnessed a grand evolution. While the nation has embarked on a journey to become the third-largest economy across the globe, it is significantly gaining strength from all walks of life. In the past few years, women have broken the barriers and have come forward to be a part of the Indian Defence Force to safeguard the country from any potential threats.
Eventually, several women officers became the first to grab a decorated/honorary post. So today, August 15, when the country is gearing up to mark its 78th Independence Day, let’s shed light on some designated female officials who hold the title of becoming the first.
While the list of officers is too long, we will look at five such officers and walk through the lanes of their commendable journey here.
5 women officers who created history in the Indian Armed Forces
Lt Gen Sadhna Saxena Nair
Lt Gen Sadhna Saxena Nair, VSM, was appointed Director General of Medical Services (Army) on August 1. With this honour, she became the first woman official to be appointed to this prestigious designation. Lt Gen Sadhna Saxena, commissioned into the Army Medical Corps in Dec 1985, was also the first lady officer to hold the Director General Hospital Services (Armed Forces) position.
Commander Prerna Deosthalee
Commander Prerna is the first woman officer of the Indian Navy to command an Indian Naval Warship. The lady officer, who joined the Indian Navy in 2009, assumed command of the Goa-based warship INS Trinkat, a fast attack craft, on Navy Day on December 4 last year. The warship has been named after Trinkat Island in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago.
Group Captain Shaliza Dhami
Group Captain Shaliza, commissioned as a flying officer in the Air Force on December 20, 2003, on a short-service commission, holds the title of the first woman Air Force officer to take charge of a frontline combat unit. She is also the first lady officer in the Indian Air Force to receive a permanent commission and the first woman to become a Flight Commander.
Wing Commander Deepika Misra
The lady officer was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 2006. Wing Commander Deepika Misra became the first woman officer in the Indian Air Force to be presented with a gallantry award on April 20. The officer was honoured in a ceremony held on April 20 for saving 47 lives during floods in Madhya Pradesh in 2021.
Captain Shiva Chouhan
After training at Siachen Battle School, Captain Shiva Chouhan was the first woman officer deployed for operations at Siachen, the world’s highest battlefield. On January 2 of this year, Captain Chouhan and her team of Sappers were inducted into the Siachen Glacier. They will be responsible for various combat engineering tasks and will be deployed there for three months.
A Women’s Auxiliary Corps-India platoon marched in review for the Chief Commander of the Corps, The Countess of Carlisle, at a ceremonial parade on July 21, 1944, in New Delhi (Photo credit: Archive Photos/Getty Images)
Combat is a role modern Indian women are striving to embrace. During World War II, they made strides in the armed forces, but there’s still progress for equal representation and recognition in national security. As India celebrates Independence Day, look at the top 5 women officers who have played an important role in the Indian Armed Forces. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
