Lady cadet to command AFMC passing out parade

After creating history on March 13, 2006, when 34-year-old Wahida Prizm from the militancy-ridden state of J&K became the first commissioned lady officer to command a parade in the armed forces in the country, the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) is all set to repeat the feat.

This time, a lady medical cadet, Harleen Chopra, hailing from Ludhiana, will command the parade on Thursday at the premier military institution in Pune.

AFMC spokesperson Lt Col Abhijit Rudra confirmed that Harleen is all set to become the first lady cadet ever to command a passing out parade (PoP) in the history of the Indian Armed Forces. Harleen joined the AFMC in 2004.

"Her selection for the coveted command of the most important ceremony of the year at the AFMC bears eloquent testimony to the place earned by women in the Indian Armed Forces," Rudra said.

As many as 103 medical graduates will be commissioned into the Armed Forces Medical Services at the passing out parade, where director general Armed Forces Medical Services Lt Gen Yogendra Singh will be the chief guest. AFMC director and commandant Lt Gen Shiv Kumar Sharma said out of 103 newly commissioned officers, 84 will join the army, four will join the air force, while the remaining 15 will join the navy.

"Symbolically, it marks the coming of age of gender equality within this premier tri-services training establishment of the armed forces," Rudra said. She follows in the footsteps of Surg Lt Cdr Wahida Prizm.

Harleen said, "It feels great and I am proud to be chosen for this prestigious appointment." She said she believes in giving her best in whatever job she is assigned.

Dean and deputy commandant of AFMC Maj Gen Gautam Ravindranath said the graduate wing of the AFMC was established on August 4, 1962. The 103 newly commissioned officers will join the ranks of 5,444 graduates of the AFMC, who have excelled in the medical profession. The first commissioning ceremony was held at the AFMC in 1982.

DNA Correspondent/ DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication

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