MOTHER THERESA VS MAHATMA GANDHI

WOMEN OFFICERS GRIEVANCES ADDRESSED

The Government has decided to grant Permanent Commission prospectively to Short Service Commission officers, both men and women, in branches and cadres of the three services, which do not entail direct combat or possibility of physical contact with enemy.

The branches where permanent commission would be granted include Judge advocate General, Army Education Corps and its corresponding branches in Navy and Air Force, Accounts branch of the Air Force and Naval Constructor of the Navy.

The selection will be based on a common merit and eligibility criteria, which would be decided by each Service Headquarters. A tri-service study carried out in 2006 on all aspects of employment of women officers in the Services recommended that women officers would be excluded from induction in close combat arms where chances of physical contact with enemy were high.

Women officers have been in the Armed Forces for about 80 years and served with competence and distinction. They were inducted in the Military Nursing Service in 1927 and in the Medical Officers Cadre since 1943. Following Cabinet approval, induction of women officers in other branches in the three services started in 1992.

• There are 1072 women officers in Army (excluding medical services)
• There are 793 women officers in IAF including medical officers.
• There are 63 women officers in IAF in Flying Branch.
• There are 126 women officers in Medical & Dental in IAF.
• There are 258 women officers in Navy.
• There are 752 Women Medical Officers in AMC
• There are 490 Women Medical Permanent Commission Officers.
• There are 2834 Women officers in MNS.

The decision of the Government is a great break through in leveling the gender discrimination. When a nation can have women P.M and President (The Supreme Commander) why not a COAS ? The day is not far off for India to have woman Marshal of the Air Force.

The First Women Gen. in the Indian Army Maj.Gen (Miss)G.A.Ram (Director MNS) was appointed as Maj. Gen. on Aug 27, 1976.

Mother Theresa and Mahatma Gandhi cannot be compared. Millions admire Mahatma, but billions love Mother Theresa. A Mother is always loved more than a Father. (The women officers in the Armed Forces should keep this in mind and be Proud of being Mother first and Officer next).

Courtesy: Sainik Samachar