The army promises to increase the role of lady officers, as it tries to fend off embarrassment over a claim that it can do without women.
NEW DELHI: The army on Saturday claimed it was "proud" of its lady officers and promised to increase their role, as it tried to fend off embarrassment over one of its senior most General's claim that it can do without women.
Vice-Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General S Pattabhiraman said in an interview that ideally the army would like to have "gentlemen officers and not lady officers at the unit level." He said the "feedback from lower formations suggests that comfort levels with lady officers are low. We can do without them."
The army on Saturday tried to do damage control by saying Pattabhiraman was "quoted out of context" and his statements have been "misconstrued". Additional Director General (Public Information) Major General R S Sujlana said the army is planning to expand the role of women to such activities as intelligence. Currently, the army has only 918 women officers, out of over 11 lakh soldiers and officers. Sujlana said women would be inducted into military intelligence, logistics and other special duties immediately. The army has also issued fresh orders in recent times to the Officers Training Academy in Chennai and all field formations to "refine management" of lady officers.
While many officers agreed with the vice-chief's assertion regarding the discomfort over the presence of women in field formations, a couple of former commanding officers of army units said they have to be "much more alert" with women around. "One has to ensure that these lady officers are provided the safest and most reassuring environment. So one has to be more cautious and alert," a Colonel told DNA.
Former Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt General V K Sood, said the "same thing could have been said" in a "little more polite version", but agreed with the basic sentiments of what the general said. "We haven't had really too many problems with ladies. Anyway, they are in non-combat arms, signals, ordnance etc,” he said.
More psychological assistance
The Army on Saturday said it is increasing psychological assistance to its men and women in the operational areas of Kashmir and the Northeast. Major General R S Sujlana, Army's Additional Director General (Public Information), said the army was recruiting more psychological counsellors and was beefing up its two psychological centres in J & K and the Northeast. Sujlana said the army is organising regular lectures and other exercises to de-stress its soldiers posted in strife-torn areas.
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