- Agniveer will be a model Indian Citizen
- A soldier for life in the service of the Nation
Bengaluru, March 7. Gender norms are no more a monolith in India, as we see women foraying into professions dominated by men and are shattering stereotypes along the way. They’re conjuring up careers, driving towards a brighter tomorrow and letting their dreams take flight.
There’s something so special about a woman who dominates in a man’s world. It takes a certain grace, strength, intelligence, fearlessness and above all, the nerve to take “No” for an answer.
This Women’s Day, we come across such girls and women who are not just dreaming big, but earnestly striving towards contributing their might towards nation building.
Thanks to the initiatives taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which has opened up doors for women to exhibit their prowess in the field of defence, which once was viewed as a male bastion.
His thoughts of, women are no less suited to braving such austere conditions, are being proved by these brave women folk.
The opening of admissions to girls at Military Schools and Academies, and creating an opportunity for selection of women under the Agnipath scheme as Agniveers, stands a testimony of PM Modi’s far-sighted vision.
Bengaluru’s Rashtriya Military School, is one of the five educational institution run by the Ministry of Defence, which has given wings to the dreams of the first batch of girl cadets where six girls have adapted themselves to its working environment which is one of the feeder organisations for the armed forces.
In an interaction with the media, as part of the International Women’s Day celebrations, the first batch of girl cadets for the academic year 2022-23, cadets Harshi Patel from Gujarat, Varsha Yadav from Haryana, Diljan Kaur from Punjab, Gowri Deepa from Andhra Pradesh, Simran Pareda from Odisha and Aditi Mehra from Uttar Pradesh who joined RMS, after the 75-year-old institution opened its doors for girls last year, have their eyes firmly set on the their goal — which is to become officers in the armed forces.
A common feature of all the six cadets is that their family members belong to armed forces, some of them still serving while others have retired.
Cadets in an interaction with the media said that a typical day at the school starts early in the morning with physical training followed by breakfast, classes, lunch, games and other activities followed by dinner.
The faculty at RMS said that the training given to the girl cadets were on par with the boy cadets.
T.S. Suresh in-charge education, RMS, Bengaluru, said that there are five military schools in the country run by the Ministry of Defence and that there are two entry levels, one is at the class 6 and the second is at class 9 level.
He added that for the academic year 2022-23, 55,000 applicants appeared for the examination all over India for 300 seats for class 6 in the five military schools.
Like the RMA, another educational establishment under the Ministry of Defence Sainik School in Bijapur too has 30 girl cadets at present. The intake for girl cadets started in 2020-21 and the 30 girl cadets are presently studying in class 6, 7 and 8.
Whatever policies introduced by the Present government under a visionary leader goes with a lot of thought which mainly is based on nation building agenda.
The Agnipath Scheme opened up for women is truly for the nation’s good. This is happening for the first time in India. Around 100 women selected from about 2.5 lakh applicants pan India, are undergoing training at Corps of Military Police (CMP) and School, in Bengaluru, where they are provided rigorous training on par with men trainees.
The Training Programme which goes on for 31 weeks is inclusive of firing session and commences at 4am in the morning ending up at 9pm.
CMP Centre and School Chief Brigadier Jose Abraham interacting with the media said the recruits are being trained with the vision of serving the nation earnestly in one-way or the other.
These trainees will be confident enough to perform much better than their competitors in civil life as the training imparted for four years is an opportunity for them to stand above others.
Major Valentina, Chief Trainer at the Centre said, the opening of Agnipath Scheme for women is good as it creates opportunities for women to prove their mettle. This, in general also brings in a sense of pride among the younger generation as they feel that they will be contributing their might towards building a strong and powerful nation, she added.
(Photo Source: Ministry of Defence)
