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Woman leads guard of honour for the first time
In a first, a woman officer from the Indian Air Force, Wing Commander
Puja Thakur, led the ceremonial guard of honour presented to visiting US
President Barack Obama at Rashtrapati Bhavan here Sunday.
Thakur
was seen -- and heard -- giving commands, which were followed by the
national anthems of the US and India. The 21-gun salute boomed next.
Thakur then escorted Obama for the inspection of the tri-service guard of honour.
Thakur
hails from Rajasthan and has served in the IAF for 13 and a half years
and is an administrative officer posted at its publicity cell, DISHA, at
the Delhi Air Headquarters in New Delhi.
She is also a para jumper.
Thakur told reporters after the ceremony that she felt proud.
"It
is a proud moment. I hope it inspires more women to join the forces,"
Thakur said. She said there was no discrimination between women and men
in the air force.
"There is no difference between men and women in the forces," she said.
The officer told NDTV that she came to know about her role in leading the guard of honour only a few days ago.
"Since
the past few days, we've been practising for it. However, we start with
our drill movements and ceremonials right from the first day of our
training... And we are always prepared," Thakur said.
She also said that her family is proud of her. Her father is a retired Colonel from the Indian Army.
Her
leading the ceremonial guard of honour comes as 'nari shakti' (woman
power) is the theme for Republic Day parade this year where Obama is the
chief guest. This Jan 26 will also be the first time when women
contingents of the army, air force and navy will march down Rajpath.
Another woman officer, Flight Lieutenant Smita Singh, was the supernumerary officer.