In a historic stride toward gender inclusivity, the Indian Navy has made a groundbreaking move by appointing its first woman commanding officer to helm a naval ship, announced Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar during a press conference preceding Navy Day celebrations.
Admiral Kumar underscored the Navy’s commitment to its ‘all roles-all ranks’ philosophy, emphasizing the elevation of female personnel to commanding roles—a significant milestone in the service’s history.
During the briefing ahead of Navy Day, Admiral Kumar highlighted the Indian Navy’s unwavering operational vigor across strategic waters in the past year. He noted the relentless operational tempo of Navy ships, submarines, and aircraft, encompassing a diverse range of missions including military, diplomatic, constabulary, and benevolent endeavors.
In response to China’s heightened activities in the Indian Ocean, Admiral Kumar assured vigilant monitoring by the Indian Navy in the region.
“Our commitment to maintaining a ‘Combat-ready, Credible, Cohesive, and Future Proof’ force remains resolute,” stated Admiral Kumar, articulating the Navy’s dedicated focus on fortifying operational units.
Emphasizing the service’s progressive outlook, Admiral Kumar revealed that the number of women serving as ‘Agniveers’ in the Navy has surpassed 1,000, a testament to the Navy’s dedication to deploying women across various roles and ranks.
Additionally, Admiral Kumar affirmed the Indian Navy’s unwavering dedication to jointness and cohesiveness, acknowledging the pivotal role of collaborative efforts within the armed forces.
The milestone of appointing the first woman commanding officer echoes the Indian Navy’s strides toward inclusivity and gender diversity, exemplifying its commitment to recognizing talent and capability irrespective of gender.
Sources By Agencies
