By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 17 Apr: Lt Col BM Thapa (Retd), Senior Vice President, Dehradun Ex-Services League and Sangyukt Nagrik Sangthan, attended a seminar on the ‘Role of Women in National Security’.
Addressing a large audience on the role of women in national security, Tripti Kanwar, President, Mahila Goshti, and wife of Maj General KD Singh (Retd), highlighted that till 1992, women used to get short service commission for 10 years, which could be extended by 4 years, but the Supreme Court in 2020 announced that women would be given permanent commission in EME, Ordnance Corps, Education Corps, ASC. They are not yet in the Infantry, Armoured Corps, Engineers, Artillery and Signals, but time will come when they will be enrolled in the fighting arms also. They would go on to top ranks like COAS, CONS, COAS, etc. Women fighter pilots Gunjan Saxena, Avani Chaturvedi, Bhawna Kanth, Shivangi Singh along with 16 other women are flying fighter jets like Rafale, SU30 MK I, MIG 21 Bison and have also brought name and fame to the country by taking part in various operations. Woman pilot Sqn Ldr Nidhi Sharma flew the AN-12 and, then, rendered 10 years of meritorious service in IA. Now, women have got the opportunity to join the Indian Military Police, National Defence Academy and RIMC.
She drew attention to the tough service conditions in Siachen, Leh, Ladakh and other forward areas, with families living alone in separated accommodation. Defence personnel have to go on short notice for surgical strikes, flood relief operations, immediate construction of bridges, roads, airfields, all types of rescue operations, etc., but they and their families keep their morale high.
They move from one station to another after every two years from field to peace or peace to the field but they remain happy in a disciplined and healthy environment, she pointed out.
Armed Forces Wives look after each other through organisations like the Army Welfare Wive’s Association. They interact with each other and encourage higher education and computer courses for women for better resettlement in case of any unforeseen eventualities. The life of defence personnel is full of adventure and interest, with a lot to learn.
Among others present on the occasion were Ramlal, Capt Ruchi Dutta (Retd) as Chief Guest, Alak Nanda Ashok, Col BD Gambhir (Retd), etc.
