The Army chief and acting CDS General M M Naravane said the induction of women cadets in the National Defence Academy (NDA) is the first step towards gender equality in the armed forces.
New Delhi: "Apart from the induction of women cadets in the National Defence Academy (NDA), the army will soon be inducting an all women aviation combat batch," Army Chief and acting CDS General M M Naravane has said on Wednesday (March 16).
"We will also be having the first batch of women combat pilots graduating later this year," he said at an event organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) here.
"We need to open all vistas for women in Indian society be it the corporate sector or the Army," he stated. "We welcome women with the same sense of fair play and professionalism as Indian armed forces are known world over," he said.
General Naravane said the induction of women cadets in the National Defence Academy (NDA) is the first step towards gender equality in the armed forces.
"Women have already proved their mettle in various spheres as well as in armed forces including performing combat roles such as fighter pilots, paratroopers, submarines. They will continue to do so in future, too," he said.
The Army chief was speaking at an event, "Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav", organised by FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) Women business wing of FICCI in Delhi.
"Indian armed forces lead the example of breaking the ground and making them the agents of change and among the tri-services, Indian Army believes in gender parity and is currently providing equal opportunity. Women army officers have been serving the forces for a long time," he said. Recently the Army was the first to induct women in the military police, said General Naravane.
He also said that former CDS Gen Bipin Rawat's role for empowering women cannot be forgotten "….and today is his birthday. He always encouraged women and their role in all spheres."
"FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) welcomes recent steps taken by Indian defence forces for inclusion of girl cadets in various defence training and education institutes including National Defense Academy (NDA) and Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) in Dehradun. said Ms Ujjwala Singhania, President of FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO).
