Decades back, during the broadcast of a Republic Day parade, when the camera zoomed into the face of a woman officer marching alongside her male counterpart, Komalpreet Kaur was awestruck and now recalls it as a life-changing moment. Now, she is Assistant Commandant, CRPF. Almost a month back, she was called to Delhi and was told to lead the first ever tableau of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), with women commandos from six paramilitary forces (BSF, CISF,CRPF, ITBP, SSB Assam Rifles) marching together. She says, “I want this tableau to inspire some girl in some corner of the country to join the force. The theme is Nari Shakti and it tells all the young girls that if I can do it, so can you.” This is also the first year when women personnel will be part of the BSF’s camel contingent. Over the years, many women officers and all-women contingents have made history by being part of several such firsts at the Republic Day Parade. We take a look at some of them.Assistant Commandant Komalpreet Kaur, CRPFIn 2019, the all-women Assam Rifles contingent participating in the parade for the first timeIn 2019, the all-women Assam Rifles contingent participating in the parade for the first time. The 146-member contingent was led by Major Khushboo Kanwar, who had said, “I am the daughter of a bus conductor, and if I can accomplish this, then any girl can fulfil her dream.”Flight Lieutenant Bhawana KanthIn 2021, Flight Lieutenant Bhawana Kanth, the first woman in India to qualify for combat mission in a fighter jet, became the first woman fighter pilot to participate in the Republic Day parade as she stood poised on the IAF tableau. The same year, Flight Lieutenant Swati Rathore became the first woman to be part of the flypast over Rajpath.In 2019, Lt Bhavana Kasturi became the first woman to lead an all-men Army Service Corps (ASC) contingentIn 2019, Lt Bhavana Kasturi became the first woman to lead an all-men Army Service Corps (ASC) contingent. She had said at the time, “One of the most memorable moments for me was when I saluted the President during the parade. Another was seeing the enthusiasm and satisfaction in the eyes of my jawans when we completed the parade and reached Red Fort, I will always remember that moment.”The Army contingent led by Captain Divya AjithIn 2015, for the first time, all-women contingents of the armed forces marched at Rajpath. The Army contingent was led by Captain Divya Ajith, the Navy was led by Lt Commander Sandhya Chauhan and the Air Force contingent was led by Squadron Leader Sneha Shekhawat. In 2012, Sneha Shekhawat had become the first woman pilot to lead the IAF contingent in the R-Day parade.The all-women Navy contingent was led by Lt Commander Sandhya ChauhanThe first all-women Air Force contingent was led by Squadron Leader Sneha ShekhawatWhile the BSF camel contingent has been part of the Republic Day celebrations since 1976, this year for the first time Mahila Prahris will be a part of it. Nisha, one of the 12 riders, says, “Not everyone gets this chance. Mushkil tha, lekin ye gaurav ki baat hai.”While the BSF camel contingent has been part of the Republic Day celebrations since 1976, this year for the first time Mahila Prahris will be a part of itWomen CRPF bikers made their R-Day parade debut with daredevil stunts in 2020. The 65-member team displayed its acrobatic skills on bullet. Seema Nag, 36, who led the group, said at the time, “It is a huge opportunity for us and we will definitely make everyone proud.”Women CRPF bikers made their R-Day parade debut with daredevil stunts in 2020Lt. Colonel Deepika Rathore was among the first two women who marched at the Rajpath on Republic Day in the Army Ordnance Corps in 2013. After she successfully scaled Mount Everest in 2012 (then a Major) when she returned and got to know about the parade trials, she appeared for it and qualified. Lieutenant Anita Kumari was also part of the parade with her. Deepika Rathore has been part of R-Day parade thrice – as a NCC cadet, and in 2015 she was part of mountaineering expedition tableau.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/the-first-women-of-republic-day-parade/articleshow/97321286.cms