Dehradun: For most of the nine women cadets who graduated from the Indian Military Academy (IMA) as part of the 158th course on Saturday, commissioning into the Indian Army marked not just a personal milestone but also the continuation of a family legacy deeply rooted in the armed forces.
From Rajasthan's Khushi Chaneja to Kerala's Ann Rose Mathew to Haryana's Shanan Dhaka, several of the newly commissioned officers grew up in households where military service was not just a profession but a way of life. While their fathers once donned the olive green or naval whites, their daughters have now stepped forward to carry that legacy forward.
Lieutenant Ann Rose Mathew, daughter of retired Navy officer MP Mathew, said, "Courage and leadership have no gender," as she joined the historic first batch of women cadets to graduate.
Lieutenant Khushi's father, who served in the Navy before joining the merchant navy, called her commissioning "a moment of pride and satisfaction". "I am so happy and lucky to see my daughter being among the first nine women cadets to graduate from the IMA," he said.
Haryana's Lt Shanan Dhaka, too, has a defence background going back generations. Her grandfather served the Army as Subedar. Her father followed in his footsteps and retired as Naib Subedar. Her elder sister serves as a military nursing officer.
Lieutenant Alisha Yadav's father has a defence background too. Her mother, Radha, said: "I can't express my happiness in words on seeing my daughter in olive green. She has made the entire family proud."
Others commissioned on Saturday included Swati Dusad, daughter of an Armyman, and Urvi Sahu, all part of the historic first batch of women cadets.
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About the Author: Shivani Azad is a TOI journalist who covers Environment, Wildlife, Medical and Social subjects.
