The decision of the indian air force to permit women pilots to fly the newly inducted Light Combat Helicopters has propagated the wave of women empowerment in combat forces of the indian army encouraging them to fly high to the soaring heights and take an active participation in the combat forces of the indian army.
Women are an embodiment of love and affection , the true perpetrators of valour and courage symbolized as the goddess worshipped during the auspicious days of Navratri which was celebrated across the indian subcontinent in the first week of October this year. Women have a list of duties to perform everyday from taking care of their family to their career goals and present jobs, they have always left an indelible mark on the society in every aspect from politics to sports they have showed up their abilities.
Despite the versatility of their abilities they have been considered traditionally as fragile and who need protection, due to the patriarchal mindset in India their participation was limited to the non combat roles in the indian army till 2020 after the landmark verdict of the supreme court which upheld the right of serving short service commission in different posts of the indian army to be eligible for permanent commissions. Since then the nation has witnessed inclusion of women in different positions of the indian army especially the indian air forces which have started being the safe haven for women with higher abilities.
As a part of the Made in India project and providing sustainability and self reliance in production of defense equipments the Hindustan Aeronautical Private limited (HAL) aided the production of Light combat Helicopter (LCH) names the ‘Prachand’ which will meet the operational requirements of the indian air forces.
The decision to involve women fleets which have an experience of flying the (ALH) Advanced heavy lifter aircrafts in the fleet flying the LCH has provided women entry in the combat positions as the ‘Prachand’ is capable of flying at a height of 4,000 metres carrying supply of sufficient amount of weapon and fuel with it and can hit the target with speed and accuracy flying day and night, it can be used to perform monitoring and attack operations by the military at some very crucial stand-off points.
This decision marks a watershed movement in the history of indian army wherein women will be assigned pure combat roles in the army, they were always taken to be non eligible for these positions as they lack the required aggression and once caught by the army in times of conflict can have a detrimental effect on the morale of the country. As the indian air force which has about 14% of women personnel in its overall strength has taken the initiative for encouraging the provision of equal opportunities in security forces it will be very interesting to observe the implementation of this scheme.
Way Forward
Since the time of the first world war way back in 1911 women have proved their mettle in non combat roles like the military nursing services which mainly employs women, to the 1940s which saw the creation of the Azad Hind Fauj by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose where the Rani Jhansi Regiment led by the women troops faced the battlefield with courage and fought on the frontline , women were a part of the indian army but in non combat roles .
Inclusion of women in combat roles provides them an opportunity to display their merit in physical abilities also as the desire to serve one’s nation is one of the most passionate endeavor which demands commitment , zeal , dedication and the faith in the country to put one’s life at stake to serve the nation and pledge to protect the nation and its citizens is the greatest contribution one can give to the society.
The country needs young , cohesive and dedicated personnel’s who have a sound body and mind to take proper and quick decisions in times of need. These abilities can not be defined to any gender , in fact men and women of grit and courage with the passion to serve the nation can be the best armed officials for the country. I eagerly wait for the day when the merit of an individual will decide their administrative or combat role in the defense forces.
