In a first, women of armed forces to march on R-Day

[Zarvan]

The armed forces for the first time will have all-women marching contingents, apart from their regular ones, in the Republic Day parade on the majestic Rajpath this year, which will have US President Barack Obama as the chief guest.

NEW DELHI: The armed forces for the first time will have all-women marching contingents, apart from their regular ones, in the Republic Day parade on the majestic Rajpath this year, which will have US President Barack Obama as the chief guest.

It has been quite a scramble for the Army, Navy and IAF to look for 148 women each - one contingent commander, three platoon commanders and 144 in the marching block - since they still constitute a miniscule minority in the predominantly male environs of the over 13-lakh strong armed forces.

"The orders came from the top since PM Narendra Modi was keen on women empowerment and 'Naari Shakti' as the main theme for the parade. Women officers, with proper turnout, drill standards and fit enough for the 10-km march, have been pulled out from different stations across the country," said a source.

Unlike paramilitary and police forces, the armed forces cannot draw women from other ranks for the parade since they induct them only as officers. Moreover, though women have been allowed to join the armed forces since the early-1990s, they currently number just about 3,000 of the 59,400 officers. The Army has around 1,300 women officers, IAF 1,350 and Navy 350.

Women officers till recently could serve just a maximum of 14 years in branches like signals, engineers, aviation, intelligence, ordnance, air traffic controller and air defence due to what were called "operational, practical and cultural problems". They can now opt for permanent commission but only in a few wings like legal, naval constructor, accounts and education.

As earlier reported by TOI, the country's top civilian leadership and military brass have also been consistently opposed to deploying women in combat roles. So, women officers cannot be fighter pilots, serve on sea-faring warships or join the infantry, armoured corps or artillery. This when many countries around the globe have allowed it. Countries ranging from US and Russia to Turkey and Pakistan, for instance, have had women fighter pilots for long. Similarly, even countries like Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh deploy women on warships, with the US also allowing them on submarines.


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In a first, women of armed forces to march on R-Day - The Times of India

 

[Indo-guy]

Great going . appreciate the gesture of our pm . time to bring bill to enforce 33% reservation for women in legislatures .....

 

[utraash]

Great news......
@levina

 

[anant_s]

Why not! I'm sure that will be a proud moment for us all.

 

[Levina]

Congrats gals!!
I hope govt lets women command battalions now,because ‘group intelligence’ of an institution increases when women come on board.
Btw the pic in OP is from officers training academy, Chennai.

 

[anant_s]

‘group intelligence’ of an institution increases when women come on board.

Decibel levels too..

i remember my school NCC days when two contingents were formed on 15 August and 26th January celebration parade. While the girls had everything in order (right from polished boots, belts, caps etc), it was quite a miracle if boys would finish the parade not bumping into each other. Our instructor (we called him Ustaadji) almost had heart strokes. Those were the days!

 

[Levina]

Decibel levels too..

i remember my school NCC days when two contingents were formed on 15 August and 26th January celebration parade. While the girls had everything in order (right from polished boots, belts, caps etc), it was quite a miracle if boys would finish the parade not bumping into each other. Our instructor (we called him Ustaadji) almost had heart strokes. Those were the days!

I have attended just one NCC camp. Lol
And around those days there was a selection for RD parade going on, getting selected for it meant that you had to sacrifice 3 months of your studies because the practise usually begins somewhere in November but thats in Delhi. For the selection, students start practicing from october itself.
Dont know if we have someone who had participated in RD parade?? I have only attended it as audience. Lol

 

[OrionHunter]

 

[Levina]

View attachment 182485

good to see you back.

That pic reminds me of a lady officer who was the first to be posted in Siachen (signal regiment), who had also participated in RD parade.
I forgot her name though (she was supposed to be a regular in our parties uff) and nothings available on net.

 

[anant_s]

I have attended just one NCC camp. Lol
And around those days there was a selection for RD parade going on, getting selected for it meant that you had to sacrifice 3 months of your studies because the practise usually begins somewhere in November but thats in Delhi. For the selection students start practicing from october itself.
Dont know if we have someone who had participated in RD parade?? I have only attended it as audience. Lol

yes true, the selection process itself was quite long and multi tiered. Any serious candidate meant they had to kiss their academics for the year goodbye and not many parents allowed back then. But participation in R day parade was a huge achievement, especially those who were seeking B certificate (if i remember correctly there used be 3 certificates A, B and C).

 

[Levina]

(if i remember correctly there used be 3 certificates A, B and C).

I remember vaguely but I think you're right. A certification is for the junior wing/schools while B&C 're for those in college,if am not wrong.

 

[anant_s]

I remember vaguely but I think you're right. A certification is for the junior wing/schools while B&C 're for those in college,if am not wrong.

C certificate surely is for undergraduate students. Back in early 90s, they started in class 8. One had to go steady for three years (upto class 10) to get A certificate. Unfortunately owing to board exams (CBSE, ICSE boards), not many continued NCC in class 10 and hence very few actually got their A certificates.

 

[Abingdonboy]

Great going . appreciate the gesture of our pm . time to bring bill to enforce 33% reservation for women in legislatures .....

No, no, no, no! The armed forces are no place for reservations. The moment you start doing that you have initiated a slide to the bottom. The military has one job, it is not a place where liberal political correctness needs to be demonstrated. Only those who are qualified on merit should join.

I have no problem with women joining the military, if they meet the EXACT SAME standards for the men then let them in. The moment you create a different set of standards (I'm not even talking about just women, i mean for anyone- minorities, disabled etc etc) you have just initiated the rot.

 

[jamahir]

Btw the pic in OP is from officers training academy, Chennai.

hah... proof that you are connected to indian intel.

 

[Indo-guy]

No, no, no, no! The armed forces are no place for reservations. The moment you start doing that you have initiated a slide to the bottom. The military has one job, it is not a place where liberal political correctness needs to be demonstrated. Only those who are qualified on merit should join.

I have no problem with women joining the military, if they meet the EXACT SAME standards for the men then let them in. The moment you create a different set of standards (I'm not even talking about just women, i mean for anyone- minorities, disabled etc etc) you have just initiated the rot.

Lol you did not read it completely ...