Major Khushboo Kanwar, who scripted history as she led an all-women contingent of the Assam Rifles in the Republic Day parade.
Hailing from Jaipur, Rajasthan, Major Kanwar said more women should join the defence forces without any hesitation. Women in Assam Rifles were inducted into the force four years back and since then there is no looking back. Women are already into the combat roles.
Major Kanwar, who is the daughter of a bus conductor, was the all-woman contingent commander of the Assam Rifles in the 70th Republic Day parade.
She was inducted into Indian Army in 2012 and now serves in Assam Rifles on deputation. Apart from carrying out counter insurgency operations in Assam Rifles she is also a mother. Her husband’s name is Rahul Tanwar
The Assam Rifles was formed in 1835 and it is the oldest paramilitary force in the country. The Assam Rifles is deployed along the Indo-Myanmar border. Maj Khushboo was brimming with pride as she talked about how leading the contingent was a matter of great honour for her.
Khushboo completed her MBA degree but she always wanted to join the army. Major Khushboo had worked hard for about 6 months to demonstrate her ability by leading an all-women contingent of the Assam Rifles on the occasion of Republic Day.
She used to wake up every morning and practice for 8 to 10 hours and she would also walk for 12 to 18 kilometers every day to make herself strong.
“Leading an all-women contingent of the Assam Rifles was a matter of great honour and pride for me. We practiced very hard…I am a daughter of a bus conductor from Rajasthan and if I can accomplish this, then any girl can fulfil her dream,” she told PTI.
“It is for the first time in the history of the oldest paramilitary force, Assam Rifles, that an all-woman contingent participated. It’s a matter of pride and privilege for me to be the first contingent commander of the all-woman contingent of Assam Rifles. We have been preparing for the last five months for this parade. We followed a rigorous drill schedule of seven-eight hours every day,” Major Khushboo said.
“The idea behind the induction of Assam Rifles women is their role in the counter insurgency area of northeast. They are being deployed at the check posts at Indo-Myanmar border. They are deployed for frisking, policing, patrolling and internal security duties,” Major Khushboo added.
Major Khushboo said that it comes as a privilege to be part of Indian Army and serve the nation.
