India's First All-Girl Sainik School Paves the Way for Women in Defence

In a historic moment for women empowerment, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated India’s first all-girl Sainik School in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh's Mathura district. This milestone marks a significant step forward for aspiring female cadets aiming to serve the nation through the armed forces. Named the Samvid Gurukulam Girls Sainik School, the institution, with an impressive enrollment of around 870 students, is part of a larger initiative to establish 100 new Sainik Schools across states and union territories.  The CBSE-affiliated school, equipped to provide top-notch education, will be helmed by ex-servicemen, offering 120 coveted seats for aspiring cadets. The Minister highlighted how Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision has rightfully placed women within the armed forces, acknowledging their pivotal role in safeguarding the nation. This groundbreaking decision to admit girls to Sainik Schools follows the successful pilot project at Sainik School, Chhingchhip, Mizoram, initiated by the Defence Ministry. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also highlighted his earlier initiative to enroll girl students in Sainik School, Lucknow, in 2018, further emphasizing the commitment to gender-inclusive opportunities in defence education. The objective behind establishing these schools aligns with the National Education Policy, aiming to provide quality education and promising career prospects for students, thereby propelling India towards a future of inclusive and robust defence preparedness.

From Music To Service: Ashok Kumar Has Been Participating in the Republic Day Parade for the Past 26 Years!

Warrant Officer Ashok Kumar couldn’t be more excited. He has been participating in the Republic Day Parade for 26 years, leading the Indian Air Force Band contingent for 16 of those years. He is proud that his two younger brothers are also serving in the armed forces.  Ashok Kumar fondly recounted how he had good memories of playing some of his favorite tunes, such as 'Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja' and 'Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon', as he marched past the saluting dais.  He explained that it was a tough selection process to join the band, as members had to be mentally and physically fit, and had to have a certain playing capacity. The music was written by qualified personnel from the Indian Air Force. The martial music played this year as the troops passed the saluting dais was composed by Flight Lieutenant L S Rupachandra and Master Warrant Officer J A George, VSM. Kumar also shared that the band had performed abroad, in places such as Finland, Germany, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, and that he had led the Indian Air Force Band in the Beating Retreat Ceremony at Vijay Chowk to mark the end of the four-day Republic Day celebrations.  His daughter Rakhi Nagar shared her family's experience, saying that they kept a phone in hand to take pictures or record a video of him as he marched past the saluting dais. The family also loves to listen to him play the trumpet when he is home.  Ashok Kumar who has completed a course on drum majoring plays the bass drum, side drum, trumpet, and bugle. He revealed that earlier they marched to Western music, but today Indian marching tunes are employed instead. Warrant Officer Ashok Kumar's dream of joining the Defence Forces had come true and he was proud that his brothers have also joined him in this noble service to the Nation.