AFMC creates history; Wahida Prizm commands parade

Pune, Mar 13 (UNI) (Surg) Lt Cdr Wahida Prizm has carved a niche for herself in the annals of Indian Armed Forces becoming the first woman to have commanded the passing-out parade of the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) here today.

Lt Cdr Wahida Prizm, a graduate of Jammu Medical College, hails from a remote village in Kashmir. Her selection for the coveted command at AFMC bears testimony to the place accorded to women in the Indian Armed Forces.

Symbolically, the ceremony marked the coming of age of gender equality within the Uniformed Services.

Hundred graduates were commissioned into the Armed Forces Medical Services at the passing out parade this morning.

Surg Vice Admiral V K Singh, Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMC) who reviewed the parade, commissioned 78 male and 22 lady doctors into the Armed Forces Medical Services.

Of these, 91 officers joined the Army, three in the Air Force and six in the Indian Navy.

The AFMC this year also upheld the long tradition of academic excellence. In the recently concluded Maharashtra University of Health Science (MUHS) examinations, a student of the college scored cent per cent in the first MBBS and 99.21 per cent in the second MBBS, and 99.19 percent in the third MBBS (Part-I) and 95.76 per cent in third MBBS ( Part-II).

The passing out parade was followed by the the Academic Award presentation ceremony. The coveted Presidents' gold medal and the Kalinga Trophy was presented to Lt Shekhar Nema for his outstanding achievement by the chief guest. In all DGAMS Admiral Singh gave away 45 trophies.

UNI SP KU PR DB2012