As 2,585 Agniveers graduate from INS Chilka, the Indian Navy recruits its first-ever group of female sailors
A first-of-its-kind ceremonial night passing out parade was held on Tuesday under the auspices of Southern Naval Command, and it saw the first batch of 2,585 agniveers—including 273 women—of the Indian Navy leave the doors of INS Chilka in Odisha.
Though passing out parades (POPs) are typically held in the morning, this was the first time the PoP was held after sunset, a first in the Indian Armed Forces.
The pass-out parade successfully concluded with 16 weeks of rigorous naval training. An official statement claims that the sea warriors have received the necessary training to make the Indian Navy a combat-ready, credible, cohesive, and future-proof force.
Admiral R. Hari Kumar, chief of naval staff, said the passing out parade was “historic for the Indian Navy” because it featured the first-ever batch of female sailors.
“We can display our Nari Shakti to the world at this time. Our female sailors are shipping across INS Chilka as the nation watches. An entire generation of young women across the nation will find inspiration from it,” according to the Navy chief.
Kumar urged the graduating trainees to sharpen their skills even more and build a solid foundation of knowledge, openness to learning, and dedication to succeed in their respective future careers. He also urged them to uphold the core values of the Indian Navy of duty, honor, and courage in the pursuit of nation-building.
Addressing the sea warriors, the Navy chief stated that the first batch of Agniveers will make history by becoming India’s first batch of Agniveers and mark the beginning of a new century in the Indian Navy.
According to the Navy chief, the first batch of Agniveers will serve as the leading light for future Agniveers. “This batch will establish how future Agniveers will strengthen India’s security through their participation in the Indian Navy. Furthermore, these Agniveers will decide how to strengthen the country without joining the military, according to Hari Kumar in his address.
The top Navy commander stated that India and the Indian Navy are rapidly developing, that the Agniveers are fortunate to be a part of that growth, and that they should recognize that they are entering one of the most lauded careers on the planet.
The Narendra Modi government launched the Agnipath Scheme on June 14, 2022. Following that, the Indian Navy implemented a pan-India merit-based Agnipath recruitment scheme, seizing the opportunity to begin the entry of women Agniveers into service.
The flag officer commanding-in-chief of the Southern Naval Command, Vice Admiral M. A. Hampiholi, prominent track athlete and MP P. T. Usha, sports star Mithali Raj, and several naval veterans were among those present at the pass-out parade.
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