When Captain Divya Ajith leads the first all-women contingent of the Army this Republic Day, she will carry on her shoulders the hopes and aspirations of women officers to soon serve the nation in combat roles.
"We believe we are equal and second to none. We have already marched for the first time on the Army Day and now another first would be the Republic Day parade. So, yes, we do wish to be in the combat force.
"And I hope that this first for us will also come soon," Ajith of the Corps of Army Air Defence told PTI.
Currently, the army does not have women in combat role.
The 25-year-old officer already has a first to her credit. She was the first woman cadet in the history of the Army to have been awarded the prestigious 'Sword of Honour' at the passing out parade of the Officers Training Academy in Chennai in 2010.
A multi-faceted personality, Ajith is also an accomplished Bharatanatyam dancer, percussionist and well-versed in sports like basketball and discus throw.
India is set to showcase women empowerment in all three forces with contingents having 148 personnel each drawn from the Army, Air Force and the Navy to parade down the Rajpath on January 26 where US President Barack Obama will be the Chief Guest.
Ajith said the entire contingent is excited, not to mention filled with immense pride to represent the country.
"And, the fact that it President Obama who will be present there himself, we are all doubly excited," she said with a smile.
The young officer, who hails from Chennai, said she always wanted to be in the Army and during her five years in service, she has never felt being discriminated against.
But, with glory comes hard work and responsibility as the contingent has been training rigorously ever since it arrived in Delhi to perfect its moves and synchronise its steps to put their best foot forward.
"It's a tough six hours training each day, from 6 am to 9 am in the morning hours and 3 pm to 6 pm all seven days. But, we want to give our best. It's been a tough regimen but our training at the OTA is coming in handy."
Adjutant, OTA Chennai, Major Gautam Mandke, who is accompanying the contingent here, said, "For many, moving from Chennai to Delhi was a drastic change in weather from 30 degrees Celsius to 3 degrees Celsius, so we trained them accordingly."
The contingent comprises about 20-25 per cent cadets and rest all officers, a defence official said.
About the selection procedure, he said, "We selected about 170 odd women (officers and cadets) at the OTA in Chennai and now from them we will narrow it down further to 140 odd for the final march."
Captain Ajith also hopes that seeing the officers march down the Rajpath will inspire more women to don the olive green uniform.
"I think many of those parents who will be seeing us either at the Rajpath or on television, will feel inspired to send their girls to the Army and many of those girls would themselves be motivated to be in uniform," she said.
Image: All women contingent of Indian Army during the rehearsal for the Republic Day parade at Rajpath in New Delhi.
Photograph: Shahbaz Khan/PTI Photo