Breaking the gender barrier, more women are joining the defence forces. And, the process has got further impetus after Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala, opened its doors.
Since 2009, when PM Manmohan Singh inaugurated the academy, 174 women officers have been trained in various disciplines. As on July 2011, 413 women officers have passed out from INA.
In fact, the Navy, which began inducting women in their ranks in 1992, now has about 350 women among its 5,000-plus officers. While women were initially granted commission for seven years, it was gradually extended to 14 years.
The Passing Out Parade of the 13th Naval Orientation Course (NOC) was held at INA, Ezhimala on Dec. 3, 2011. Among 238 trainees who completed their course were 70 women.
“We recruit young girls and develop them into knowledge warriors, outstanding professionals, compassionate colleagues and, above all, responsible civilians,” vice admiral Anurag G. Thapliyal said. “(But) It will be difficult to accommodate them in the combat zone (because) it will be an embarrassing situation if a woman is caught as a prisoner of war.”
As of now, women are admitted to NOC, which lasts from six months to a year. They are then drafted into the Indian Navy and the Coast Guard, Mr Thapliyal said.
But despite all this, one grievance of women officers is that while the Army and the Air Force have agreed to reinstate woman officers and consider them for permanent commission, the Navy is yet to do it.
