Subedar Preeti Rajak (C) being inaugurated to her new rank by Lt Gen Gajendra Joshi (R). (Photo via special arrangement.)
Mhow (Madhya Pradesh): Indian Army’s woman Havildar Preeti Rajak, who is champion trap shooter, was promoted to rank of subedar. Subedar Preeti Rajak is now the first woman subedar of the Army. Her achievement is an extraordinary display of Nari Shakti (women power).
Subedar Rajak joined the Army in the Corps of Military Police on December 22, 2022, based on her proven performance in trap shooting. During the 19th Asian Games held at Hangzhou, China from September 21, 2023, to October 1, 2023, Subedar Rajak won a silver medal in the trap shooting women’s team event.
Her extraordinary performance earned her the first out-of-turn promotion to subedar. Lieutenant General Gajendra Joshi, commandant of the Infantry School, Mhow, chaired the pipping ceremony and lauded the shooter for her excellent performance, on January 27. She was promoted a few days earlier, on January 22.
Subedar Rajak is currently ranked 6th in India in the trap women event and is training at the Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU) in preparation for the Paris Olympic Games 2024. The Army hopes her remarkable achievement will inspire generations of young women to join the Indian Army and carve a niche for themselves in professional shooting.
On the same day, Padma Shri and Arjuna awardee Subedar Major and Honorary Lieutenant Jitu Rai was promoted to the rank of subedar major and honorary captain for his meritorious service.
