Get ready to be dazzled by the Indian Army as India celebrates its 70th Republic Day. Women will take centrestage and kickstart many firsts. We will witness the maximum participation of women officers as they gear up to lead in their respective contingents. The military's women power will be showcased along with the strength of the Indian Army.
All-Women Assam Rifles Contingent
This Republic Day is special for Assam Rifles, as for the first time, an all-women contingent from the Assam Rifles, the oldest paramilitary force in the country, will salute the President at Rajpath. The mahila jawans are led by Major Khushboo Kanwar, 30, The Northeast Today reported.
"Leading an all-women contingent of the Assam Rifles is matter of great honour and pride for me. I am the daughter of a bus conductor from Rajasthan and if I can accomplish this, any girl can fulfil her dream," Major Kanwar told news agency PTI.
Captain Shikha Surabhi To Perform Bike Stunts
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Captain Shikha Surabhi will present some fascinating stunts on her motorcycle alongside her male teammates, a major attraction every Republic Day. She is India's only woman in the army's Dare Devil Squad. Her debut on Republic Day is an inspiration for all the women. "Many of my senior lady officers also felt proud of me and said that they also someday wanted to ride a bike and that gave me a sense of achievement,” she said while practising at Rajpath, SheThePeople.TV reported.
ALSO READ: 71st Army Day Parade: In A First, Lady Officer To Lead Contingent
Lt Bhavana Kasturi To Lead All-Men Contingent
Lieutenant Bhavana Kasturi will lead a contingent of Army Service Corps (ASC), comprising 144 men. The ASC is participating in the parade after a gap of 23 years. Kasturi told TOI, “Nobody from my family has ever served in the Army. I am a first-generation officer inducted in the Army in 2016. But my family has always motivated me and empowered me. Clearing a tough selection procedure to get a chance to lead a contingent of 144 men shows there is no gender bias in the Army.”
In a message to young girls, she said, “I want to tell young girls of the country ‘chase your dreams and never give up and you’ll reach great heights’.”
Lt Ambika Sudhakaran To Lead Navy's Contingent
Lieutenant Ambika Sudhakaran will lead a marching naval contingent of 144 young sailors. She said, “Men and women are marching shoulder-to-shoulder to serve the nation.”
In another display of mahila shakti, contingents of a unit of Corps of Signals (transportable satellite terminal) will be led by women officers.
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