New Delhi: Two women officers from different generations of the Indian armed forces shed light on the evolving role of women in uniform, sharing personal experiences, challenges, and achievements at a defence forum in New Delhi. Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, Director General of Armed Forces Medical Services, and Colonel Anshu Jamwal, Commanding Officer in the Indian Army, traced the remarkable journey of women in the forces, highlighting both institutional progress and personal perseverance.
Vice Admiral Sarin, who joined the Armed Forces Medical Services in 1987, reflected on the early days of women’s leadership in the military. “The first lady General, the first Two Stars, was in 1987 commanding Command Hospital Lucknow, followed by two Three Stars in 2007. They paved the path for us. When I joined, merit and performance were the only measures. Everything was gender-neutral,” she said. She added that the introduction of women in other arms, permanent commissions, and leadership roles over the years has made the forces aspirational for young women today.
Colonel Jamwal, who joined the Corps of Army Air Defence in 2006 as the first woman officer in her unit, recounted the initial apprehensions she faced. “When I joined, both men and I had concerns, but once they recognised what I was capable of, it became smooth. My unit became a second home,” she said. She acknowledged ongoing challenges, including physical standards and balancing home and service responsibilities, but emphasized the resilience instilled by army training.
Vice Admiral Sarin shared a poignant personal experience from 1998, when she was deployed to Kashmir while her three-year-old son remained in Mumbai. “It was daunting to leave him behind for three and a half months. Communication was once a week. But the armed forces family, my colleagues and my parents, supported me throughout,” she recalled, highlighting the network of support that enables women officers to navigate demanding assignments.
Both officers agreed that the armed forces’ merit-based approach, coupled with evolving policies, has transformed opportunities for women. Colonel Jamwal represents the new generation of non-medical officers breaking traditional barriers, while Vice Admiral Sarin embodies the pioneering spirit that made today’s progress possible.
The discussion underscored how women officers are increasingly integral to operational leadership, bridging generational experiences with institutional change and continuing to inspire future recruits.