In a first... Indian Army conducts recruitment rally for girls
   Date :18-Sep-2019

 
(left ) COS, MB Area, Major General SS Kahlon interacting with the candidates. (right) Girls working hard during physical test on first day of Girls Recruitment Rally for the Indian Army.
 
 
Staff Reporter :
 
Total 198 girls enthusiastically attended the recruitment rally and 34 of them have been selected for medical tests 
 
First time in the history of Independent India when girls are being allowed to join the Indian Army below officer ranks. Total 198 girls enthusiastically attended the recruitment rally and 34 of them have been selected for medical tests. It may be mentioned that out of around 2.5 lakhs candidates who registered for the entry, 10,000 candidates were shortlisted based on their class 10 results.
 
The cut-off percentage went as high as 86%. Out of the shortlisted candidates, 1646 candidates from the states of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Gujrat, Goa and the union territories of Daman, Diu, Dadar & Nagar Haveli were called for rally at Jabalpur. Candidates passed through physical tests of 1.6-kms run, 10-feet long jump, 3-feet high jump and height and weight measurements proportionate to height and age as per medical standards.
 
Earlier, Major General S S Kahlon, Chief of Staff, Madhya Bharat Area flagged-off the run and interacted with the candidates. Interacting with the candidates, Major General SS Kahlon, while conveying the message of GOF-in-C, Madhya Bharat Area for the candidates says, “History is often created by small step which have far reaching results. What we are going to witness in next few days during this women’s rally is a new epoch in the history of women empowerment.
 
The entry of women as soldiers in the Indian Army has become a reality today. Our daughters have successfully captured the last bastion by taking over the mantle of security of our nation. Today they have stood not only shoulder to shoulder with the men but in fact I am proud to say a notch higher with the cut off percentage of women candidates bench marked at 86% and higher. Induction of these high caliber women soldiers in our Army is in consonance with Indian Army’s long held ethos of respect to and empowerment of women”. “I am sanguine that the enrolment process is absolutely just, transparent and fair. I would like to place on record the unbridled support of the civil administration- the DC, SP and other Government agencies in smooth conduct of this historic Rally”.
 
 
“I would also like to compliment my men in Jabalpur Recruiting Zone and JAK RIF Regt Centre for the thorough meticulous planning and execution of all the arrangements done for smooth and efficient rally. The efforts made to provide secure and convenient arrangements to the women and their parents who are arriving from the states of MP, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Gujrat, Goa and the UTs of Daman, Diu, Dadar& Nagar Haveli by both civilian administration and Madhya Bharat Area is indeed commendable and praiseworthy” the General Officer said.
 
He wished the candidates best of luck for their successful qualification in the Rally and their induction into our esteemed Indian Army. Recruitment Rally, In-charge, P Chakrawarty informed that being the first rally of its kind, planning and making necessary arrangements for the rally began in the month of June. Jammu & Kashmir Rifles Regimental Centre was chosen as the venue of the rally. Close coordination between the military and the civil administration was carried out with joint meetings between the Recruiting Office, the Divisional Commissioner's office, the District Collector's office and the police authorities. In addition to the rally, adequate steps were taken for the security and stay of the women candidates visiting Jabalpur from various parts of the country.
 
Candidates share happiness
 
Some of the candidates shared their
happiness and enthusiasm with ‘The Hitavada’ for their participation in the
Recruitment Rally to joint the Indian Army.
 
 

Nisha Dubey
Nisha Dubey, a resident of Sidhi in Rewa
district says, “It is an opportunity for met to make the dream of my father come true by
joining the Indian Army. I always thought
about service to the nation and have an
opportunity to join the Indian Army through recruitment rally”.

 
Priya Patel
Priya Patel, a resident of Karmeta in Jabalpur says, “My brother is a soldier who inspired me to join the Indian Army for service of the nation. I would like to be a part of one of the biggest Armed Forces of the world Indian Army and ensuring my contribution for national security”.
 
Saraswati Singh Rajput
Saraswati Singh Rajput of Jabalpur says, “It is an opportunity for me to be the first member of my family to join the Indian Army. Joining armed forces will make me proud to serve the nation and raising the name of my parents and contributing for the national security”.

 
Neha Rajput
Neha Rajput, resident of Raisen district says, “I have a dream to join armed forces right from childhood which is likely to come true with the recruitment of women in the Indian Army. I hope that I will qualify the physical and medical tests to be the part of armed forces”.

 
Rashmi Rajak
Rashmi Rajak, a resident of Rewa district says, “I was preparing for civil examinations for rendering my service to the society. Starting recruitment of women in the Indian Army is an opportunity for me to work for security of the nation as Army person”.