Women officers commissioned into the Indian Army's Regiment of Artillery
Chennai: The first batch of five women officers was commissioned into the Regiment of Artillery of the Indian Army after their successful completion of training at the Officers Training Academy (OTA) Chennai, on Saturday. Out of five women officers, three have been deployed along the northern borders while other two are in the western theatre.
These women officers are being provided exactly the same opportunities and challenges as their male counterparts. This time a total of 19 male officers have been commissioned into the Regiment of Artillery.
“These young women officers are being posted to all types of artillery units, where they will get adequate training and exposure to handle Rocket, Medium, Field, and Surveillance & Target Acquisition (SATA) and equipment in challenging conditions,” an official in the Indian Army said.
Lieutenant Mehak Saini is commissioned into a SATA Regiment, Lieutenant Sakshi Dubey and Lieutenant Aditi Yadav into Field Regiments, Lieutenant Pious Mudgil commissioned into a Medium Regiment, and Lieutenant Akanksha commissioned into a Rocket Regiment, they said.
“The culmination of the passing out parade was the moment of commissioning, when the young women cadets took the oath of allegiance to the constitution and received their rank insignia, signifying their entry into the Regiment of Artillery,” they added.
The ceremony was attended by senior military officials including Lieutenant General Adosh Kumar, colonel commandant and director general of artillery (designate), other dignitaries and proud family members of the newly commissioned officers.
The commissioning of women officers into the Regiment of Artillery is a testament to the ongoing transformation in the Indian Army, when, in January this year, the chief of the Army staff, General Manoj Pande, announced the decision of commissioning women officers into the Artillery Regiment, which was later approved by the government.
“This significant event marked a major milestone in the journey of women officers in the Indian Army, who have been breaking barriers to serve their country with valour and distinction,” the official said.
