First Time Ever For Indian Army: Lady Officer To Lead Contingent At 71st Army Day Parade

In a first in the history of Indian Army, a lady officer would lead a contingent on the seventy-first Army Day parade on 15 January, reports India Today.

The Indian Army's Service Corps (ASC) contingent will be led by Lieutenant Bhavana Kasturi, comprising of 144 male personnel. Earlier, during Republic Day parade in 2015, an all-women marching contingent was led by Captain Divya Ajith.

"This is the first time a lady officer is leading a contingent. A lady officer has never led a jawans' contingent." India Today quoted Lt. Kasturi.

She also appreciated the Army for this opportunity and said, "This shows the change and the evolution which is happening in the entire organization. This shows acceptance for woman officers also."

The ASC which handles the logistic support function of the Army, is participating after a gap of 23 years in the Army Day parade.

Similarly, Captain Shikha Surabhi will be leading the Army's Daredevils Motorcycle Display team for the first time. The unit comprises of 33 men riding bikes in a pyramid formation.

The Daredevils is a part of the Indian Army's Corps of Signals, which is a combat support arm that holds 24 world records, including the Guinness World Record.