Women around the world are most often associated with delicacy and coyness, amongst other aspects of conventionally ‘feminine’ behavior. Proving all these stereotypes wrong, we often come across women who have fire in their souls. They don’t sit around letting things happen; they walk across the ‘minefield’ fearlessly and carve histories.
25 years back, a feisty Priya Jhingan decided to turn her dream of donning the olive green uniform into reality. Her dream later inspired millions of women in India to give up all hesitation, and join the forces.
Daughter of a police officer, Priya knew right from the beginning that she wanted to serve her nation in one way or the other. She wished to become a police officer just like her father when she grew up. Joining the Indian Army was a far- fetched dream for her at the time, for the Defence forces did not induct women as officers back then.
Presently, the Defence Forces are planning to induct lady officers in combat roles. This will be a revolutionary step. A similar thing happened back in 1992, when the Forces decided to induct women as officers- a move unprecedented in the history of the forces. Priya Jhingan was directly affected by this decision.
A young Priya wanted to do something about her situation. She was inquisitive and determined. These attributes gave her the courage to write a letter to the (then) Chief of Army Staff, General Sunith Francis Rodrigues. In the letter, she requested him to open the Force’s gates for women.
In one of the biggest moments of her life, Priya received a personal reply from the Chief himself! The signed letter stated that the Armed Forces were planning to induct women as officers in a year or two. This letter gave Priya the motivation she needed. She knew at once that this was the path she was to follow. She claims that the letter remains to this date, one her most prized possessions.
Priya immediately quit plans of becoming a police officer, and decided to wait until the Army called for her. In the interim, she decided to study law. Her gutsy decision and her wait were well worth it, because the Indian Army released a full page advertisement in 1992 which invited women to join the Army. Priya was overjoyed with the news. She was confident she would make it. Her light shines through her words-
“There were two seats reserved for law graduates. I was just curious to find out who the other person might be.”
Priya’s thoughts were proved right. The Indian Army decided to induct her in their first batch. Her dream was to now turn into reality. She reached OTA Chennai, ready to take on her duties. She was not alone though. There were 24 other spirited cadets who embarked on this journey with her. These brave young women had no idea what to expect from their tenure at the academy. Priya laughs as to how they had arrived with trunks full of fancy clothes and made unreasonable demands at the academy-
“Our commanding officer almost hit the roof when he saw our trunks and the list of requests — warm water, tube lights and a saloon!”
The ladies were simply another batch of cadets there, and were not treated with any more gentleness than the fellow male cadets. The physical training was vigorous and challenging. She says there were many moments of awkwardness and hesitancy as the ladies had to be open in demeanour in front of male cadets-
“…shy lady cadets had never imagined that we would have to get into the same swimming pool as the gentleman cadets or train under the watchful eyes of male officers… We wrapped the towels tightly around us and refused to let go of them. Finally, our platoon commander Captain P S Behl had to come and order us to stand in attention. The towels fell and we marched forward.”
Priya was commissioned as an officer of the Indian Army on 6th March 1993. She wanted to join the Infantry corps. However, women were not (and still aren’t) allowed to perform combat roles. Her commanding officer said to her that joining the Infantry could be a possible option for her great- grand daughter. Priya Jhingan is waiting for that day.
Priya recalls her favourite memory from her serving days with the JAG Corps. It was the first ever court martial she conducted. She was asked by the Presiding officer about the number of trials she had conducted. She lied by stating it as her sixth trial. She was worried that the members of the panel would undermine her capabilities if she told them it was her debut. She wanted to prove herself on the basis of how she handled the procedure, and not on the basis of any prejudice.
Priya handled the trial effortlessly and efficiently. Post this, she revealed the truth to the members; the panel was thoroughly impressed by her caliber and confidence.
Priya’s service ended after ten glorious years in 2002 and she retired as a Major. She says that each day passed as if living a dream. She is proud of having served the Indian Army as one of the first lady officers and claims that she never faced any discrimination on the basis of her gender.
She didn’t back down even after her retirement. She has been active in her career and life. She cleared the exam for Haryana Judicial Services, but did not pursue this any further. She has also attained a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, post which she worked as an editor for Sikkim Express in Gangtok. In 2013, she joined Lawrence School, Sanawar as an English teacher.
She is married to a retired army officer, Lieutenant Colonel Manoj Malhotra, who took premature retirement. He runs his own adventure sports company. The couple lives in Himachal Pradesh with their son, Aryaman.
Officers like Priya Jhingan prove to the world that change is good, and you too can be the change you wish to see in the world. We hope to see many more such gems in the Indian Army who make the nation proud by just being who they are- strong, independent, and positive ladies.
Image source : Majorpriyajhingan .com
