‘We didn’t look at each other as men and women, but as colleagues and officers’: Lt Gen Dr Madhuri Kanitkar
On Women’s Day, as National Geographic premieres a new film, Women of Honour: Destination Army, we look at three women — a young officer who’s the film’s protagonist, the seniormost woman officer in the Indian Army, and a woman who is e-coaching defence aspirants Lieutenant General Dr Madhuri Kanitkar at the film's launch in Delhi Cantt. (Photo: Courtesy National Geographic India) Women in the armed forces have increased over the years, yet their numbers remain abysmal compared to men — 6.5 per cent (Navy), 1.08 per cent (Air Force) and 0.56 per cent (Army). Last year, this time, 31 women and 136 men officers were inducted into the Indian Army, after 11 months of rigorous training at Chennai’s Officers Training Academy (OTA). Among them was a 26-year-old senior lady cadet Ipupu Mena, who was made a Lieutenant. She is at the centre of Women of Honour: Destination Army, which will premiere on March 8, at 9 pm, on National Geographic, and later on Disney+ Hotstar. The 46-minute film f...