Women to add to Army's might

The Indian Army's decision to recruit woman soldiers into its fold is a welcome move. Traditionally, women in the armed forces were confined to the medical services and auxiliary branches.

It changed in 1992, when the Army made way for women officers beyond medical roles such as Judge Advocate General (legal), education and engineering wings. In 2015, the Air Force charted a fresh course by giving a leg-up to women officers from the humble helicopter cockpit to the majestic fighter jet.

At every stage since, the women have established their professional acumen and proved themselves worthy of the confidence placed in them.

The Navy inducts women as officers into logistics, architecture, armament inspectorate and as reconnaissance pilots. Recently, the six-member all-women crew of INSV Tarini demonstrated its mettle by triumphantly circumnavigating the globe.

In step with the times, the move constitutes a welcome advance on the older order of things and negates any proclivity to assume women in inferior, less-challenging roles.

While they are posted in forward areas, combat duties remain out of bounds, not because they won't shine here too, but due to the ruthless realities of hardcore warfare.

The Army, long known for its brotherhood and institutional integrity, has embraced sisterhood at its core. It is obligatory for the forces to keep high the confidence of the women, who have chosen a life less ordinary.

Safe working conditions must be ensured to them, as they march together with men, as one, shoulder to shoulder, to defend the country's borders.

Meghna Reddy, Hyderabad