2019 is off to a refreshing start. While India became the first Asian team to win a test series in Australia, now we have the first lady officer who will lead a contingent on the Army Day parade on January 15.
Lieutenant Bhavana Kasturi will lead a contingent of 144 male personnel, first time in the history of Indian Army. Though, in 2015 lady officers from tri services had led a squadron with 148 personnel each on the Republic day, no woman officer prior to Lt. Bhavana had led the Army day parade.
Photo: thedispatch.in
On the 71st Army Day, she will lead the Indian Army¡¯s Service Corps (ASC) contingent. This parade is all the more significant because the ASC is taking part after a gap of two decades.
¡°Our center is in Bangalore and I¡¯m coming from our regimental center and it¡¯s been six months we are practicing. Along with me, there are two male officers from the center are practicing as contingent commanders,¡± Kasturi said while speaking to the Daily Pioneer.
She appreciated the army for this opportunity adding that it was symbolic of the evolution and change that is taking place in the entire organization. That is, acceptance of more and more women officers.
Photo: India Today
Talking to the publication she also added that the higher authority in the army was working very hard for the permanent commission of the lady officers and they are also appreciating the efforts being put in by them.
India Today reported that apart from a lady officer leading the ASC contingent, the Army Day parade along with the Republic Day parade will also see, for the first time, display of M777 A2 Ultra Light Howitzer and K9 Vajra-T artillery.
Army Day is celebrated every year on January 15 to commemorate the day when (then) Lieutenant General KM Cariappa took over General Sir Francis Butcher as Commander-in-Chief of India in January 1949. This day also pays homage to valiant soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protect the nation and its citizens.