You all must have read the story of young Kumaoni widow Soni Bisht written by me last year, ‘Soldiering On: How Kumaoni Braveheart. Soni Bisht Conquered Grief to Earn Commission in the Indian Army’. Hailing from Haldwani and the daughter of Sub Kundan Singh (Retd) from the Guards Battalion, she was married to Sepoy Neeraj Singh Bhandari, of 18 Kumaon, in December 2022 and settled in Khatima. Tragically, Neeraj lost his life in a devastating accident involving his two-wheeler and a tractor-trolley in Khatima a month later, in January 2023. She was motivated to apply for OTA under the widows’ quota, where she excelled, despite facing many serious family hurdles, with encouragement and support from many Kumaoni, including me and some Guards officers. During my visit to the Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai in December 2024, I had the opportunity to meet Soni Bisht. This was made possible through the assistance of Lt Gen Bobby Mathew (Retd) and the former Colonel of the Regiment (COR), who had previously served with me in one of the oldest Indian Army Battalions, 2 Kumaon (Berar). She was thrilled to meet me and I gifted her my book ‘Kumaoni Nostalgia’ advising her to work hard and opt for commission in the Ordnance Corps. I also gifted my books Soldier Mountaineering’ and ‘Reminiscing Battle of Rezang La’ to the OTA Library to motivate budding officers of the Indian Army.
Yesterday, on 8 March, 2025, on ‘International Women’s Day, a woman Cadet passed out from the OTA and was commissioned in the Ordnance Corps. Her proud parents attended her passing out parade (POP). Her resilience, courage, hard work, devotion, support from family and friends, and guidance from veteran officers helped her realize her dreams. We congratulate her and her family and wish her a successful military career.
I also thank Frontier India for publishing my article on Soni’s struggle and achievement. Such small gestures encourage our women, who are nearly 50% of our population, to get motivated and serve our country with honor and dignity, besides supporting their parents and families. With the government liberalizing the grant of permanent commission (PRC), admissions of girls in various Sainik Schools, National Defence Academy (NDA) Pune, and Indian Military Academy (IMA) Dehradun will definitely motivate women to join the armed forces and serve the country with honor and dignity.
Previously, women were limited to serving in the Army Medical Corps and Military Nursing Service, but the Government of India is now liberalizing policies to allow women to play a larger role in the armed forces. It ensures gender equality, and unlike in the private sector, there is no disparity in pay and allowances in the armed forces between men and women enrolled. All ranks, irrespective of gender, get equal opportunities to succeed. Furthermore, the policy has been liberalized, allowing women to serve in all arms and services except for close combat infantry and armored corps, where they can serve equally to men. Women can now fly fighter planes and take up other combat roles in the Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, and Indian Army.
Free medical care, subsidized fares on trains and air travel, canteen facilities, admission of children to good schools, subsidized housing, and furniture in peace stations are added attractions. If spouses are serving in the armed forces, efforts are made to post them in the same or nearby military stations. Women leading contingents are making headlines everywhere, so you know the opportunities are spread, and glamour, social security, pride in uniform, and adventurous life are immense and priceless. Now they can qualify and attend the Defense Services Staff Course and other prestigious courses, like Higher Command, etc., as per Services rules.
Among 133 officer cadets were 24 women officer cadets commissioned into various arms and services of the Indian Army. Additionally, 5 foreign cadets and 7 women foreign cadets from 5 countries completed their training. Lt Gen John P. Mathew, Chief of the Integrated Defense Staff, was the reviewing officer of the passing out parade (POP) and presented the sword of honor and OTA silver medal to Cadet Manya M. Kumar, the OTA gold medal to Pragati Thakur, and the OTA bronze medal to Cadet Surjeet Yadav. The POP reviewing officer, Lt. Gen. John P. Mathew, motivated the newly commissioned officers to uphold the ethos of selfless service and unwavering excellence in what they do. Many cadet’s parents attended the POP. The POP was followed by the pipping ceremony, where passing-out cadets adorned the lieutenant’s rank on their young shoulders. Young commissioned officers pledged to serve the country with honor, integrity, and unwavering commitment to duty.
To sum up, I feel happy and very satisfied that I groomed and helped a bit Lt. Soni Bisht, commissioned in the Ordnance Corps, and pray and hope she will work hard and fulfill all her dreams to come true.