Manohar Parrikar, Air Chief laud role of women on Women's Day

New Delhi, Mar 8: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha on Tuesday remembered the women who left an impact on their lives as they lauded the role of those in the defence forces on the occasion of Women's Day.

Parrikar said his mother gave him several lessons when he was child, and though it was difficult to comprehend them at that age, he realised later in life how very useful they were.

"I still remember what my mother told me when I was young. It reminded me all throughout my education, my career as an entrepreneur and in political life. "She told me that if we both agree with each other, we can virtually occupy a place as small as a tamarind leaf. I would never understand that because tamarind leaf is hardly 2 to 4 mm long. But the moral was if two people agree on views and feelings, you need a small place," Parrikar said.

The Defence Minister was speaking at a seminar on 'Women in Armed Medical Corps' organised to mark International Women's Day here, which was also attended Raha.

Parrikar recollected an incident where he went to Goa for awarding scholarship to students and of the 25, 21 were women. "The woman today not only has to deliver in her professional career, but she also has to deliver at home," he said.

Recalling an incident, the Air Chief said while he was a cadet under-going training with his instructor, his plane crashed as the engine stopped functioning.

"We both ejected. I somehow managed to land with minimal injuries, but my instructor did not get enough time to do so. While I was in the hospital for 15-20 days, my instructor was there for a longer time.

During this period, one lady doctor took great care of us, which helped both of us to recuperate faster. Even the nurses took great care of us," Raha said, lauding the role of women in armed forces, especially the medical corps.

He added that his family has another reason for celebration on Women's Day as his daughter's birthday also falls on March 8. "Daughters bring so much of happiness to life," Raha said.

PTI