All-Woman Agniveer Contingent and Robotic Mules Debut at Pune's Army Day Parade

The 77th Army Day Parade, held on Wednesday, marked several firsts, including an all-girl marching contingent from the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and an all-woman Agniveer contingent. The event took place at the Bombay Engineering Group (BEG) and Centre in Pune, Maharashtra, under the Army's Southern Command. This was the first time Pune hosted this prestigious parade.

Among the highlights were robotic mules, which made their debut at the parade. These 12 nimble machines, arranged in two rows and guided by handlers, captivated the audience. The robotic mules, inducted last year, signify the Army's push towards modernisation. They can carry loads, access difficult terrains, and engage militants, according to officials.

Women Agniveers and NCC Cadets Shine

The women Agniveers and NCC cadets received significant attention during the event. The girl cadets trained at the Corps of Military Police (CMP) Centre and School in Bengaluru. "It is a remarkable day for us," said Agniveer Ghugare Samiksha Vinod from Solapur district. "We felt very proud and even civilians were cheering for us."

Agniveer Ankita Pujari Basvaraj shared similar sentiments after the parade. "When we compare ourselves with members of the male contingents and feel that we are able to march like them, it adds to our josh," she expressed enthusiastically.

Capt Sandhya M led the women Agniveers. A former NCC cadet herself, she felt doubly proud as a contingent of girl cadets from Maharashtra Directorate followed them in the parade. She hopes their achievements inspire more girls to join the armed forces.

Celebrating Pride and Achievement

Naina Rawat commanded the NCC girl cadets' contingent. After the parade, she celebrated with her fellow cadets through group photos and cheers. "We are feeling so proud," Rawat said. "We are the first batch of NCC girl cadets who took part in the Army Day Parade."

Alize Quaxi, another cadet, expressed hope that their participation would motivate others to join the NCC and armed forces. "The pride and grandeur we experienced will hopefully inspire other girls," she stated.

Modernisation and Celebration Theme

The theme for this year's Army Day celebrations was "Samarth Bharat, Saksham Sena." The focus was on showcasing how the Army contributes to a stronger nation. The parade ground at BEG and Centre was adorned with military colours, insignias of the Army and Southern Command, thematic posters with taglines like military might and valour, Atmanirbharta, inter-Services operability, and Nari Shakti.

The audience included Army officers, defence personnel, family members, veterans, former Army chiefs like Gen Manoj Pande (retd), gallantry awardees, and VVIP dignitaries. The event highlighted both human and technological advancements within the Army.