Chandigarh: Two women who rewrote history in the Indian Armed Forces — Lt Col Ravinder Jit Randhawa (Retd.) and Major Priya Jhingan (Retd.) — continue to inspire generations of women in uniform.While Major Jhingan became the first woman commissioned into Army‘s non-medical branch in 1992, Lt Col Randhawa went on to become India’s first Veer Nari (war widow) to be commissioned as an Army officer in 1998. Their journeys not only broke entrenched barriers but also helped open doors for women across multiple entry streams in Army.On International Women’s Day, the two pioneers spoke to TOI about their journeys, challenges and the evolving role of women in the armed forces.Promise fulfilled in Olive GreenLt Col Ravinder Jit Randhawa’s decision to join Army came after a deeply personal loss. Her husband, Major Sukhwinder Jeet Singh Randhawa, Kirti Chakra (posthumous) laid down his life in action in 1997.Determined to honour his legacy, Randhawa joined the Army Ordnance Corps, and served for 24 years after being commissioned on Sept 5, 1998, from Officers Training Academy (OTA). In the process, she broke institutional barriers, with the Army relaxing age and marital status restrictions to allow her entry.“I wished to wear the olive green, the same uniform my husband wore with pride. I wanted to fulfil his last dream and raise our daughter within the Army environment,” she said. “Though we lost him, through the Army a part of him stayed with us.”Randhawa said her upbringing in Punjab, where soldiers are deeply respected, and the time spent with her husband, who was a second-generation soldier, strengthened her resolve to serve.Reflecting on her journey, she said the Army provided both purpose and strength during one of the most difficult phases of her life.“After a loss like ours, the ground beneath your feet disappears. Becoming a commissioned officer gave me purpose. It allowed me to serve the nation my husband and countless brave hearts sacrificed for, and to give my daughter the life her father dreamed of for her,” she said.Randhawa credits several people for supporting her during training, including fellow officers but specially Dr Ranjana Malik and former Army Chief Gen V P Malik. It was only after her request to Gen Malik, who took up the matter with govt, that Army opened the gates for war widows.“My upbringing also played a huge role. I draw immense strength from my mother. Strong women raise strong women, and she always taught me to stand on my own feet with courage,” she added.Randhawa stated that while women have served in Indian military history, including in the Rani Jhansi Regiment of the Indian National Army, the commissioning of a Veer Nari was a first.“The Indian Armed Forces became the first in the world to take such a step. It reflects the spirit of women’s representation and empowerment,” she said.Her message to women this International Women’s Day is simple: believe in your strength. “Life can push you to unimaginable extremes. I have been there. But if you believe in yourself, no challenge is insurmountable,” she said.The letter that opened the doorMajor Priya Jhingan’s journey into the Army began with a simple yet bold act of writing a letter. As a school student, she wrote to the then Chief of Army Staff, Gen Sunith Francis Rodrigues, urging him to allow women to join the Army.“In Class-X, I came across an advertisement inviting young men to join the Army. I realised I met every qualification mentioned, except for one: I was not a ‘young man’,” she recalled. “That moment made me question why capable and motivated women should not have the same opportunity to serve.”Instead of accepting the limitation, she wrote to the Army chief expressing her desire to serve and pointing out that many women were equally capable of doing so.Her determination paid off. In 1992, Jhingan joined the first batch of 25 women officers at OTA-Chennai, earning the distinction of “Lady Cadet No. 1.”“For me, it was never about being the first. It was about ensuring the doors opened for many more young women who dreamed of wearing the uniform,” she said.Jhingan recalled that Army training was demanding and being the first woman cadet meant there were no precedents. “The system was evolving as we moved forward. In many ways, both the institution and I were learning and adapting together,” she said.Aware that she carried the hopes of many women who would follow, she approached training with determination. “I took my role as Lady Cadet No. 1 very seriously. I knew I had a responsibility not just to myself but to all the women who might come after me.”She emphasised that her goal was never to compete with men but to serve alongside them. “I was not there to prove I was better than men. I was there to stand shoulder to shoulder with them in serving the nation.”Training brought its share of first-time challenges — from handling weapons to jumping off a five-metre diving board and enduring gruelling cross-country runs. “Each challenge strengthened my resolve. Determination and resilience kept me going,” she said.Reflecting on the evolution of women’s roles in the Army, Jhingan said the transformation over the years has been remarkable.“Today women officers are serving with distinction across many roles. The conversation has shifted from ‘Can women do this?’ to ‘How can we best utilise the leadership and talent women bring?'”Her advice to young women aspiring to join the forces: “dream boldly, prepare well and believe in your ability. When one person takes a step forward, it often opens the path for many others. But once you commit to the uniform, make sure nothing comes between you and soldiering.”GFXTrailblazersLt Col Ravinder Jit Randhawa (Retd.): India’s first Veer Nari (war widow) to become a commissioned officer in the Indian Army. Following the supreme sacrifice of her husband Major Sukhwinder Jeet Singh Randhawa, Keerti Chakra (posthumously) in 1997, she joined the Army Ordnance Corps, serving for 24 years and paving the way for other widows to serve. She broke barriers by getting age and marital status restrictions relaxed. She joined the Officers Training Academy (OTA) in March 1998, was commissioned on September 5, 1998, and served as a commissioned officer.Major Priya Jhingan (Retd): She was first lady cadet to join the army in 1992. Also known as lady cadet number 1 of Indian army, when she was in X class, she had written a letter to the then army chief, Sunith Francis Rodrigues requesting him to open doors of the army for women. In 1992, she became the country’s first woman (outside medical corps) inducted into the army along with other cadets.
