Chennai cadet breaks into army male bastion
Another glass ceiling will be shattered in the Indian army on September 18 when Chennais A Divya will become the first woman cadet to be awarded the Sword of Honour at the passing-out parade of the officers training academy in the Tamil Nadu capital.
She will receive the honour from chief of army staff General VK Singh, who will review the parade.
Divya is among the 70 lady and 157 gentleman cadets who will be inducted into the army after the ceremony.
The Sword of Honour is the most coveted recognition that a cadet aspires to possess. It is given for best overall performance in military training, academics, sports and extra co-curricular activities.
A lady cadet winning the honour is a first in the history of the Indian army, officers training academy sources said.
Daughter of a painting contractor, Divya is a multi-faceted person with interests in sports, music and dance. A student of Good Shepherd convent, she is an accomplished percussionist and basketball player. Divya is a black belt (2nd dan) in taekwondo and has won a bronze medal at the national level. She also participates in athletics events, including discus throw.
Divya has undergone formal training in Bharatanatyam and is learning Carnatic music.
But while doing all this, shes not neglected studies. I fact, shes been a topper throughout her academic career so far.
A BCom graduate from Stella Maris College, she represented Tamil Nadu at the 2008 Republic Day Parade. She also has the distinction of being bestowed the All India Best Cadet and All India Best Parade Commander awards for leading the parade.
Chennai cadet breaks into army male bastion - India - DNA
Chennai woman 1st to win best cadet award
CHENNAI: Yet another glass ceiling has cracked. Year after year, a male cadet had received the 'Sword of Honour', the best all-round cadet award, at the passing out parade of the Officer's Training Academy (OTA), Chennai. This Saturday, for the first time in the history of the Indian Army, a lady cadet will receive the honour, from chief of army staff Gen V K Singh.
A Divya (21) came up trumps over 157 men and 70 women who will be inducted into the Army, to bag the coveted title that is given to the cadet who excels on several parameters including physical agility.
Daughter of a Chennai-based businessman, Divya took the baby steps towards her dream of becoming a military woman during her NCC days, traversing the rugged terrain of Kancheepuram, Madurai and Tiruchi where she attended camps. "My childhood ambition was to become an IAS officer. But once I started interacting with army officers in the NCC camps, I was clear about my career," said Divya, who has excelled in both academics and physical endurance.
The hands that hold the guns are also adept at Bharatanatyam mudras. "I started learning Bharatanatyam when I was in Class II. But when I decided to become an army officer, I did not hesitate to crop my long hair," said Divya, who was adjudged the best NCC cadet and the best parade commander at the Republic Day Parade in 2008. "She has her dreams," said Divya's mother Dinah Ajith Kumar, "And we are solidly behind her."
Read more: Chennai woman 1st to win best cadet award - The Times of India Chennai woman 1st to win best cadet award - The Times of India
Another glass ceiling will be shattered in the Indian army on September 18 when Chennais A Divya will become the first woman cadet to be awarded the Sword of Honour at the passing-out parade of the officers training academy in the Tamil Nadu capital.
She will receive the honour from chief of army staff General VK Singh, who will review the parade.
Divya is among the 70 lady and 157 gentleman cadets who will be inducted into the army after the ceremony.
The Sword of Honour is the most coveted recognition that a cadet aspires to possess. It is given for best overall performance in military training, academics, sports and extra co-curricular activities.
A lady cadet winning the honour is a first in the history of the Indian army, officers training academy sources said.
Daughter of a painting contractor, Divya is a multi-faceted person with interests in sports, music and dance. A student of Good Shepherd convent, she is an accomplished percussionist and basketball player. Divya is a black belt (2nd dan) in taekwondo and has won a bronze medal at the national level. She also participates in athletics events, including discus throw.
Divya has undergone formal training in Bharatanatyam and is learning Carnatic music.
But while doing all this, shes not neglected studies. I fact, shes been a topper throughout her academic career so far.
A BCom graduate from Stella Maris College, she represented Tamil Nadu at the 2008 Republic Day Parade. She also has the distinction of being bestowed the All India Best Cadet and All India Best Parade Commander awards for leading the parade.
Chennai cadet breaks into army male bastion - India - DNA
Chennai woman 1st to win best cadet award
CHENNAI: Yet another glass ceiling has cracked. Year after year, a male cadet had received the 'Sword of Honour', the best all-round cadet award, at the passing out parade of the Officer's Training Academy (OTA), Chennai. This Saturday, for the first time in the history of the Indian Army, a lady cadet will receive the honour, from chief of army staff Gen V K Singh.
A Divya (21) came up trumps over 157 men and 70 women who will be inducted into the Army, to bag the coveted title that is given to the cadet who excels on several parameters including physical agility.
Daughter of a Chennai-based businessman, Divya took the baby steps towards her dream of becoming a military woman during her NCC days, traversing the rugged terrain of Kancheepuram, Madurai and Tiruchi where she attended camps. "My childhood ambition was to become an IAS officer. But once I started interacting with army officers in the NCC camps, I was clear about my career," said Divya, who has excelled in both academics and physical endurance.
The hands that hold the guns are also adept at Bharatanatyam mudras. "I started learning Bharatanatyam when I was in Class II. But when I decided to become an army officer, I did not hesitate to crop my long hair," said Divya, who was adjudged the best NCC cadet and the best parade commander at the Republic Day Parade in 2008. "She has her dreams," said Divya's mother Dinah Ajith Kumar, "And we are solidly behind her."
Read more: Chennai woman 1st to win best cadet award - The Times of India Chennai woman 1st to win best cadet award - The Times of India
