Gul Panag Hails SC's Verdict On Permanent Commission For Women Officers, Shares Her Army Dream

In a landmark step towards granting women the right to serve in the military on equal terms with men, Supreme Court on Feb 17, directed the center to grant permanent commission to women officers in the army within three months.

With that, it said that the permanent commission shall apply to all women officers in the Army irrespective of years of service. The SC ordered that all terms of appointments of women officers should be same as their male counterparts.

¡°Physiological features of women have no link to their rights. This mindset must change,¡± said Justices DY Chandrachud and Ajay Rastogi, who delivered the landmark judgment.

In the wake of the same, actress Gul Panag recently revealed that she wanted to be an actress but she was concerned about the attitude towards women officers.

In an interview with The Quint, she revealed she wanted to be an army officer. "I wish I could set the clock back by 21 years. and be part of the challenge. My best wishes are with the women warriors."

"As an army brat, I was fascinated by the chivalrous conduct of the officers and soldiers with respect to women. Car doors were opened, chairs were pulled and even Generals would rise when a lady arrived at any event or social gathering. Yet, I did not fail to notice that the underlying reason for this conduct was the age-old belief that the weaker sex had to be protected by the gallant knights."

Bollywood actress Taapsee Pannu also saluted the iconic decision made by the apex court.

For the unversed, Gul Panag is the daughter of an army officer Harcharanjit Singh Panag, who was a Lieutenant General in the Indian Army. She won Miss India beauty pageant in 1999. She has featured in many Bollywood films like Dor, Rann and Manorama Six Feet Under among others and has always been inclined towards playing strong roles.

With that, she has always been an advocate for fitness, because she herself is a fitness enthusiast.

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She is a traveller, social activist as well as a politician. A supporter of Aam Aadmi Party, she ran as a candidate for the party in 2014.

Did you know she is a licensed pilot too? She enrolled in Chimes Aviation Academy in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh and fulfilled her dream.

"I am very fond of playing tennis, running marathons and I believe that sports allows you to constantly push your limits and always gives you a new purpose. It should be the part of everyone's life," Gul had earier told IANS.

"I've been riding since I was five years old. I am very attached to horses and I think the synergy between the man and the animal is best manifested whenever I ride the horse," she added.

Gul apparently also likes to multi-task in life.