DNA Edit: Women power – India’s martial traditions are not confined only to men

The 70th Republic Day Parade, also the last of Prime Minister’s Narendra Modi’s current tenure, will be known for its many firsts. Among the most notable of them was the heartening sight of women contingents from the army, airforce and the navy marching down the Rajpath for the first time. It was a signal — if any signal was indeed needed — that times are changing. In this awesome display of women power, all eyes were focused on Major Khushboo Kanwar of the Assam Rifles, the country’s oldest paramilitary force, who created history by marching down the Rajpath for the first time. 

The display by women was an assertive show of force, a sign that Indian women were equal to their male counterparts, when it came to martial traditions. There was Capt Shikha Surabhi of the Indian Army’s Corps of Signals, who became the first woman to perform bike stunts, alongside her male teammates as part of the daredevils, a major Republic Day attraction. Her standing salute from the bike drew loud applause. Then there was Lt Bhavana Kasturi, who led a contingent of the Indian Army Service Corps and Capt Bhavna Syal, a third generation officer in the armed forces, who led the transportable satellite terminal’s contingent. The naval contingent of 400 sailors was led by a woman, Lt Ambika Sudhakaran. 

At another level, it showcased the growing opportunities that India provides to its youngsters, irrespective of creed or background. Major Khushboo Kanwar, who led the Assam Rifles with such distinction, is the daughter of a bus conductor. Others like Lt Sudhakaran urged other girls like her to follow their dream and let nothing come in the way. To be sure, all of it left a deep impression upon those attending — particularly the spectacular sight of over a 100 women on as many 350 cc Royal Enfield bikes, who got a thunderous ovation for their efforts.