This year, on 26th January, India will celebrate its 70th Republic Day and mahila jawans of the country have decided to make this already special day even more memorable. For the first time, in the history of the para military and Assam Rifles, an all-women contingent will salute the President on Gwantantra Diwas.
The women marching on 26th January 2019 are special for another reason. Some of the mahila jawans in the contingent are the family members of the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country. These jawans have been recruited on compassionate ground.
The contingent with 144 members excluding two officers will be led by Major Khusboo Kanwar. The officer said, “For the first time in history, a women contingent of the para military will be marching on the majestic Rajpath.” She also said that the women jawans of the force are no less than the male soldiers. She added, “The women rifles performed their duties in counter-insurgency in the Northeast.”
Rifle woman Sunita Thapa was recruited in the place of her husband. Ms. Thapa said that she has stepped into her husband’s shoes to fulfill his dream. She is a mother of a five-year-old and has received full backing from her family. Talking about her family and passion for the Assam Rifles, Ms. Thapa shared, “The entire family is proud of me and I am proud of the Assam Riffles.” She also revealed that her husband died in an accident while he was on leave and she wants to take forward and fulfill all his dreams as a soldier of the nation. With the help of her family, Ms. Thapa has been able to manage the roles of both, a mother and a soldier.
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Gayatri Sharma, another Rifle woman who had joined the force about one and a half years ago, said that she had joined the force in place of her father who attained martyrdom in 2001. The Rifle woman shared that when she was just three-years-old, she lost her father, who was also an Assam Rifles Jawan. The soldier also revealed, “I got a letter from the Assam Rifles to join the force. I will perform my duty with full dedication for my country just like my father.” She further added how proud she feels by becoming a part of the Republic Day contingent.
The mahila jawans of India are setting records by changing history one salute at a time. Earlier, on 71st Army Parade Day, Lieutenant Bhavana Kasturi became the first woman in India to lead a male contingent of 144 personnel and spoke about the bright future of women in Indian Army.
Images Source: NDTV
Featured Image Source: NDTV
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