Details
Raju Vernekar
vernekar.raj@gmail.com
“In yet another first in the history of Indian naval aviation, two women officers have been selected to join as “Observers” (Airborne Tacticians) in the helicopter stream, to become the first airborne combatants to operate from warships. Earlier, entry of women was restricted to the fixed-wing aircraft that took off and landed ashore.”
“These officers, Sub Lieutenant (SLt) Kumudini Tyagi and SLt Riti Singh, were a part of a group of 17 officers of the Indian Navy, including four women officers and three officers of the Indian Coast Guard, who were awarded “Wings” at a ceremony held at INS Garuda, Kochi, Kerala on Monday. The successful team comprised 13 officers of regular batch and 04 woman officers of Short Service Commission batch, an Indian Navy statement said.”
“The ceremony was presided by Rear Admiral Antony George NM, VSM, Chief Staff Officer (Training) who presented the awards and coveted wings to the graduating officers. Also, he awarded the ‘Instructor Badge’ to six other officers, (five from the Indian Navy including a woman and another from Indian Coast Guard) who had successfully graduated as Qualified Navigation Instructors (QNI).”
“Speaking on the occasion, Rear Admiral Antony George while complementing the graduating officers highlighted, the fact that it is a landmark occasion wherein for the first-time women are going to be trained in helicopter operations which would ultimately pave way for the deployment of women in frontline warships of Indian Navy.”
” Sub Lieutenant (SLt) Kumudini Tyagi and SLt Riti Singh, at INS Garuda.”
“The officers of the 91st Regular course and 22nd SSC Observer course were trained in air navigation, flying procedures, tactics employed in air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and exploitation of airborne avionic systems. These officers would serve on-board Maritime Reconnaissance and Anti-Submarine Warfare aircraft of the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard.”
“From the 91st Regular Observer Course, Lieutenant Hitesh Singh was awarded the Uttar Pradesh Trophy on being adjudged ‘First in the Overall Order of Merit’, while Lt Anuj Kumar was awarded the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command Trophy for being adjudged ‘Best in Flying’. Lt Hitesh Singh was also awarded Sub Lt RV Kunte memorial Book Prize on being adjudged ‘Best in Ground Subjects’. From 22nd SSC Observer Course SLt. Kreeshma R was awarded the Book Prize for being adjudged ‘Best in Overall Order of Merit’.”
“In February 2019, the Government of India had announced to recruit 20 percent of women into the military police as a step towards women empowerment. Also in March this year, the Supreme Court had directed the government to ensure that women officers are given a permanent commission in the Indian Army on a par with male officers, including command posting. A permanent commission entitles an officer to serve in the Navy till he/she retires, unlike short service commission, which is for 10 years and can be extended for four more years.”
“As of now, the Indian Army has 3.80 % of its workforce as women, the Air Force has 13.09 %, and the Navy 6 percent. The women are recruited in defence only in the officer’s rank. They are not allowed as combatants in the Special Forces, such as “Ghatak”, “Garud”, MARCOS, para-commandos, etc.”
“Women’s role in the Indian army can be traced back to 1888 when the “”Indian Military Nursing Service”” was formed during the British regime. The Indian Army nurses served in the First and Second World War from 1914 to 1945 and as per records 350 nurses died, taken prisoner or declared missing in action. It was only in 1992 the Indian army decided to induct women to serve in the Infantry, the Armoured Corps, and Mechanised Infantry. In other countries, the number of women serving in defence forces is relatively high. The women serve in 91% of all army occupations and makeup about 14% of the active army in the USA.”