New Delhi: The world will celebrate International Women's Day on Wednesday, March 8 honouring the contributions of women in different areas and sectors. It is evident to all how women have been flying high with their might and courage everywhere along with their male counterparts.
Moving in the same direction, Indian Armed Forces have been training its women officers to prepare them for tough situations. In recent years, the Indian Army has achieved several milestones as far as the services of women officers are concerned.
Last year in May, Major Abhilasha Barak became the First Woman Officer to join Army Aviation Corps as a Combat Aviator. She was also awarded the Coveted Wings along with 36 Army Pilots.
While talking to the news agency ANI, she opened up about her work and how it feels as a combat aviator. She said, "I'm still a very small part of org. There've been several hundreds of aviators who got their wings. We're just doing our duty and it feels very normal. I'm doing what every other aviator is doing."
She mentioned that her parents feel proud of her but she was doing the same as any male counterpart was doing. "It is a feeling of pride for my parents especially...But I'm doing the op which any male counterpart is doing. So, I've never had that feeling that I'm doing anything differently," Major Abhilasha Barak added.
Talking about the success mantra, the Major said that one needs to be passionate and devoted to one's goal adding that 'nothing is unachievable' today.
She said, "You need nothing but sheer passion. You need to be devoted, grab opportunity and work as hard as possible. Nothing is unachievable in today's date (sic)."
Posted in the conflict zone between Sudan and South Sudan, Major Shailli Gehlawat of the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) also shared her views on the participation of women in the armed forces.
She said, "Presently I'm posted in Abyei, a conflict zone between Sudan and South Sudan. It's UN Mission...We've been trained enough to handle such situations. Our parents may be a little tense but they're more proud than tense."
Major Shailli expressed happiness over the inclusion of women officers through the National Defence Academy (NDA).
"Now, NDA has opened its doors for women officers and it's a matter of pride. Armed forces are gender-neutral. Physical and mental tests and selection procedure is completely unbiased & it's a great opportunity for women who want to serve our country," Major Shailli Gehlawat added, as quoted by ANI.