'Every bit of the parade is important. Everything that is being executed, you have to be completely in it,' says Captain Tania Shergill, the first woman adjutant at a Republic Day parade.
Shergill, who became the first woman officer as Parade Adjutant on Army Day Parade earlier this month, led the Corps which has the motto "Teevra Chaukas", meaning swift and alert.
Three young officers, grandsons of war veterans, will lead contingents at the 76th Republic Day parade in New Delhi, continuing a family tradition of military service. Lt Ahaan Kumar will lead the 61 Cavalry, Lt Cdr Saahil Ahluwalia will lead the naval contingent, and Capt Ritika Khareta will lead a contingent of the Corps of Signals. The parade will also feature new stunts, including a "Bullet wheelie" by Capt Ashish Rana and a salute by Capt Dimple Singh Bhati on a 12-ft ladder mounted on a moving motorcycle.
The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Army to put its "house in order", saying that it feels that it has not been "fair" to the women officers who have alleged delay in promotions after being granted permanent commission on the directions of the top court in 2020.
Women as officers in combat and other support roles are a reality. We better accept this and prepare ourselves to employ women in deserved roles across the organisation, says Air Marshal P V Athawale, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (retd).
"The Air Force and Navy have acted in a more liberal way. However, in the Army, you kept giving them a five-five year's job and never gave permanent commission till the verdict of the Supreme Court. If you are introducing women in the Army then why do you create a bar in NDA," the SC said.
The nation celebrated the 71st Republic Day on Sunday with a grand military parade and exhibition of its history, cultural diversity and strategic weaponry at the Rajpath.
'I chose the army over glamour,' says Major Sheena, who feels no other profession elicits the kind of respect like the army does.
'Nowhere amidst the efflorescence of 13 military bands, 16 marching contingents and 22 tableaux was there any hint that far from being a rich country of poor people, the closely guarded secret is that India is a poor country of extremely rich people,' notes Sunanda K Datta-Ray.
'Today's India is fearless and is on track to be a great power. But this is definitely not happening without women, who form 48 per cent of our population.'
'Yet, in J&K even if you are not involved in active combat, you can come under enemy fire.' 'However young a soldier is, he is not immune to action.' 'He may face challenges during the course of discharging his military duties.'
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