The Union Ministry of Defence is planning to extend the participation of girls in subsequent yr’s Republic Day parade amid the defence forces opening up extra avenues and senior command roles for them whereas getting ready them for management roles in latest months.
An workplace memorandum issued final month stated the Republic Day Parade 2024 could have “solely girls members” in contingents —marching and band—tableaux and different performances in the course of the parade at Kartavya Path.
The memorandum was issued after a debriefing assembly chaired by defence secretary Giridhar Aramane in February on the Republic Day parade held on 26 January this yr. Representatives from the service headquarters, Ministries of House Affairs, Tradition, and Training have been additionally current within the assembly.
The memorandum directed all collaborating ministries, departments, organisations and businesses to start out preparation for this and to replace the progress often. It has taken the defence institution without warning and has drawn flak from varied corners.
Nevertheless, sources within the authorities stated this is able to successfully imply having the utmost illustration of girls within the parade, on condition that sure marching contingents like that of the Military’s infantry can’t have girls members.
The Military is but to open core fight arms like infantry, mechanised infantry, and armoured corps for girls, even because it has lately inducted 5 girls officers within the Regiment of Artillery, which is a fight help arm.
Ladies officers within the Armed Forces have been main contingents and collaborating within the parade in power for the previous couple of years.
The IAF’s marching contingent within the Republic Day parade this yr was led by Squadron Chief Sindhu Reddy, a Mi-17 helicopter pilot, and Lt Cdr Disha Amrith, an observer with the Navy’s Dornier 228 maritime patrol plane, led the naval contingent of 144 sailors.
Within the parade, a staff of “daredevils” motorbike riders from Corps of Indicators, was co-led by a girl officer. Ladies have been a part of the BSF camel contingent for the primary time this yr.