Permanent commission for women in more branches soon: Antony

Kottayam, Sep 27 (UNI) Defence Minister A K Antony today said the doors of permanent commission for women have been opened and in the coming years more branches in the three forces would be opened for them in permanent commission.

''I had signed the papers for recruiting women on permanent commission in the armed forces yesterday,'' he told a national integration rally of the NCC.

This was the first time that a permanent commission for women in some branches had been implemented, he said and added some areas were now open for women. ''Gradually all other doors would also be open for them'', he added.

He also noted that personality development was the main attraction of NCC training. With the reduction of the training period of senior cadets to two years, about 15 lakh cadets would get training now and more NCC units could be opened.

As a result of the training and counselling by NCC, cadets could improve their abilities and communication skill. Further they would become strong enough to face the challenges at any time and anywhere, he said.

As a feeder organisation of the Indian Army, NCC was rendering laudable service and support to Indian army particularly during natural calamities, he said.

NCC Director General Lt Gen Prakash S Chaudhary welcomed the gathering. Selected cadets from Kozhikode group presented a guard of honour to the defence minister and gave a traditional welcome to him when he arrived.

About 5000 NCC cadets from different states participated in the rally.

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