The Hindu : National : Army for more women officers

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jun 18, 2006

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National

Army for more women officers

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Army on Saturday clarified that it was in favour of recruiting more women as officers "in keeping with the changing times" and was looking at additional areas where lady officers could be recruited.

It had also instructed the Officers' Training Academy in Chennai as well as its field formations to further refine the management of lady officers following two cases each of alleged sexual harassment and suicide.

"It [recruitment of women] is a positive step and we are very proud of the ladies in the Army since they are contributing very positively besides making up for the shortage of officers. We would like to have more lady officers and are looking at recruiting them in areas such as military intelligence, language and regional specialists, analysts and certain special duties," Gen. Raj Sujlana said at a news conference here.

Misconstrued

Pointing out that there are 918 lady officers in the Army, Gen. Sujlana said the Vice Chief of Army Staff S. Pattabhiraman's reported statement that the Army can do without women was quoted "out of context and misconstrued." What he meant was that the Army's preference in the combat units was for gentlemen officers over lady officers. "We have made it a point to put them in services [such as ordnance, supply, medical] but in combat units such as armoured and artillery, the preference is for men officers," clarified Gen. Sujlana.

Asked about the suicide by Susmita Chakraborthy on Thursday due to stress and disinclination to perform certain duties as she felt she was better qualified, he said the rigours of Army life as compared to civilian occupations are tougher but "we are ensuring that new recruits are being adequately trained to withstand the rigours of army life."

Lady officers too should be mentally prepared for army life. "We would like lady officers to become a total part of the Army. There is no difference whatever between them and gentlemen officers," Gen. Sujlana said.

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