Last month, five lady cadets, who completed their training in the prestigious Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai, made history by getting inducted into the Army’s Regiment of Artillery. Though women have been commissioned as officers into supporting arms of the Army since 1992, this is the first time they are entering into the Artillery, a fighting arm.
In January this year, Army chief General Manoj Pande formally announced that the Army has decided to commission women officers into the artillery arm and that a proposal was sent to the Union government in this regard. Elaborating on the decision, General Pande said it was “significant” and that women in the Army have been performing “exceedingly well”.
Having been commissioned as officers into the Artillery, these young women are expected to join their respective units that handle Bofor, Dhanush and M-777 howitzers, K-9 Vajra self-propelled guns and others.
The OTA in Chennai has been admitting lady cadets for training along with gentlemen cadets since the early 1990s by imparting military knowledge and leadership skills. Hundreds of young women from remote corners of the country, who wish to be part of the Army and serve the country hand in hand with men, aspire to join the OTA. This time, 121 gentlemen cadets and 36 lady cadets completed their training and were commissioned as officers into various arms and services of the Army.
Text by Dennis S. Jesudasan
