Shanti Tigga, the first woman jawan
Greetings from
upscexperts@gmail.com
#Experts #India
Outperforming her male counterparts in the physical tests, 35-year-old Shanti Tigga Sapper joined the 969 Railway Engineer Regiment of Territorial Army (TA), a mother of two becoming the first woman soldier
Women are allowed to join the armed forces only as officers level in the non-combat units. But Tigga has earned the unique distinction of being the first lady jawan in the 1.3 million strong defence forces
“I joined Railways in 2005, on compensatory ground after my husband's death . Last year (2010), I learnt about TA Railways and I volunteered for it. At that time, I was not aware that no woman has ever joined the Army as personnel below officer rank. But that was hardly a deterrent,” she said.
“Some of my relatives were in the armed forces and I was always motivated by them to become a part of the Army. I prepared hard to clear the physical tests. I know I have made my family proud by becoming the first woman of Army jawan,” she said
A victim of child marriage, a widowed mother of two, belonging to a socially marginalised Scheduled Tribe community in West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district, Shanti Tigga, despite the many challenges that lay in her path, always chose to advance with unflinching determination, eventually becoming the first female jawan to join the Indian Army.
That’s not all, Tigga is said to have outperformed all her male counterparts in the Armed Forces’ Recruitment Training Camp by having taken five seconds less than them to complete the 1.5km run.
She had also completed the 50m run in 12 seconds, an excellent feat as marked by her senior officials. She had further impressed firing officers with her handling of guns, being awarded the highest position of a marksman.
Tigga had gone on to win the title of best trainee based on her overall performance in the physical test, drill and firing. She was also honoured by the then President, Pratibha Patil, for her extraordinary achievements.
Post her husband’s death, Tigga was granted a job in the Indian Railways as compensation. She took it up in 2005 and was employed as a points-man, posted at Chalsa station in Jalpaiguri.
With several family and community members enlisted in the country’s defence forces, Tigga had always nurtured the dream to join the Indian Army and don the olive green uniform. In 2011, after learning about Territorial Army (TA) Railways, she signed up for the 969 Railway Engineer Regiment, and was enlisted in the Indian Army at the age of 35.
Unfortunately, Tigga’s life took a tragic turn in 2013, when she was abducted by unidentified perpetrators. She was found blindfolded and tied by a railway track, following which she was hospitalised. Tigga’s hospital cabin was provided with security while the police began investigation.
She had stated that the perpetrators had not harmed her. A week after this incident, she was found hanging in the hospital cabin toilet, and her mysterious death was ruled as suicide.
Thus, the inspiring life of one of India’s brave daughters came to an end. Shanti Tigga will continue to live on in our hearts as a shining example of what one can achieve despite the trials and tribulations
Shanti Tigga was no ordinary woman. With more and more women breaking barriers and stereotypes in the country, let’s look back at a few who were bold enough to take the first step and pave the way. Defense, especially on ground, has always been the domain of men. However, there was one woman who refused to bow down to social conventions – Sapper Shanti Tigga. She was the first female jawan the Indian Army was honoured to have.
We brings to you 10 facts which showcase her prowess and her badassery in all its might.
1. Tigga was a mother of two when she became a jawan in the Indian Army.
2. During their physical tests, she defeated all her other male counterparts.
3. She completed the 50 m run in 12 seconds during her tests.
4. On her 1.5 km run, she outran all of her other male counterparts to complete it with 5 seconds to spare till they caught up.
5. She was 35 when she achieved this feat. She was immensely fit and did not let her age come in the way of her dreams.
6. She cleared all her tests to join the 969 Railway Engineer Regiment of Territorial Army in 2011.
7. The firing instructors were so impressed with her skills in handling guns, that she earned the highest position of marksman.
8. She was also awarded the title of best trainee.
9. She did not even know that there had been no female jawan before her
“ I was not aware of the fact that no woman has ever joined the Army as personnel below officer rank (PROB). But that was hardly a deterrent.” once She said
10. They say that she always dreamt of joining the army and making her family proud.
Although she met with a tragic death, after her abduction, she shall always remain a woman carrying valour beyond compare.
Comments
Post a Comment