Saluting heroes on Indian Army Day 2021: Here's a list of all "firsts" in the Indian Army!

Indian Army Day is celebrated on January 15, every year. Here, on Indian Army Day 2021, we are celebrating the day by remembering all the "firsts" in the Indian Army.

Indeed, we cannot keep one day to celebrate the sacrifices of Jawans, the real-life heroes. The national heroes, who leave their homes with a smile on faces knowing that they might not come back. However, Indian Army Day celebrated on January 15, marks a special day to remember the contribution of the Indian Army. On this day, 1949, Field Marshall KM Cariappa was appointed as first Commander-in-Chief of Indian Army. Hence, On Indian Army Day 2021, we are brushing up the lists of all the "firsts in Indian Army".

First Commander-in-chief of Indian Army

KM Cariappa was the first Commander-in-chief of Indian Army appointed in 1949. He was born in Coorg, on January 28, 1898. He had taken the position from General Francis Butcher, the last British commander-in-chief of India. He died on May 15, 1993.

First female Lieutenant General of Indian Army

Punita Arora was the first female Lieutenant General of Indian Army appointed in 1968. She was born on May 31, 1946, in Bhatinda. She also held the rank of 'Surgeon Vice Admiral' in the Indian Navy. Punita Arora has received 15 medals in her entire defence career.

First lady cadet to join the Indian Army

Priya Jhingan was the first lady cadet to join the Indian Army in 1992. After completing graduation, she had written a letter to the Chief of Army staff. She had requested him to open the entry of woman in armed services. Her journey in the Army had started after this.

First Field Marshal of Indian Army

Sam Manekshaw was the first Field Marshal of Indian Army promoted to the rank in 1973. He was born on April 3, 1914. Sam Manekshaw had shown his leadership on the Indo-Pak war after which he got the rank. He had died on June 27, 2008.

First woman to win a gold medal in the Indian Army

Anjana Bhaduria was the first woman to win a gold medal in the Indian Army. She was from Chandigarh and belonged to the woman cadets batch of 1992. She had received the gold medal from amongst the nominations of both men and women. Anjana Bhaduria served in the Indian Army for 10 years.

First female Jawan in the Army

Shanti Tigga was the first female Jawan in the Indian Army. She belonged from West Bengal and was married at the age of 17. She had defeated all her male counterparts in the training. However, she had died mysteriously on May 13, 2013.

First Chief of Army Staff of Indian Army

General Maharaj Shri Rajendrasinhji Jadeja was the first Chief of Army staff appointed in 1955. Born on June 15, 1899, he also became the second Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army. Rajendrasinhji died on January 1, 1964.

First woman in Indian Army to receive coveted ‘Sword of Honour’ prize

Captain Divya Ajith Kumar was the first woman in the Indian Army to receive the 'Sword of Honour' prize. She was born in Chennai and led the women contingent of 154 women officers and cadets on the Republic day parade in 2015.

We salute our brave heroes today with a promise that their sacrifices for the country will never go in vain and will always be remembered. Jai Hind!

Also Read: Brush up your knowledge with lesser-known facts about the Constitution of India

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