Republic Day 2019: Assam Rifles' first ever all-women contingent to march down Rajpath

The 70th Republic Day shall salute the women power in the nation as for the very first time a women contingent of the army is set to participate in parade.

Assam Rifles Women's marching contingent

New Delhi: India is celebrating its 70th Republic Day on Saturday, marking seven decades of becoming a sovereign democratic republic. Every republic Day, there is something new in the Republic Day Parade which showcases how the Indian republic has advanced in its social mindset . The 70th Republic Day shall salute the women power in the nation as for the very first time a women contingent of the army is set to participate in parade. In the many firsts, an all-women contingent of the Assam Rifles led by Major Khushboo Kanwar would be participating in the parade. “For the first time in history, a women contingent of the paramilitary will be marching on the majestic Rajpath,” the lady officer said. Rifle Woman Sunita Thapa, who was recruited in place of her husband, to fulfil his dreams, said her family supported her in her decision to join the army. Mother to a five-year-old boy, she added, “The entire family is proud of me and I am proud of the Assam Rifles.” “The women performed their duties in counter-insurgency in the Northeast,” she added. Another Rifle Woman, Gayatri Sharma, who had joined the force one-and-a-half-years ago, was recruited in the force in place of her father who attained martyrdom in 2001. The soldier lost her father when she was just three-years-old. “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,” the Rifle Woman said. Besides this, Captain Shikha Surbhi would be performing daredevil stunts and a standing salute on a moving motorcycle.