In a first, ITBP women bravehearts unfurl tricolour at India-China border

Women soldiers of the Indo Tibetian Border Police (ITBP) are filled with pride as India turns 70.

As the nation celebrates Independence day, these women have become a part of a small revolution at the Sino-Indian border. They added feather in forces' cap by shattering an important male bastion and by being deployed on the front of the volatile border.

It is for the first time since independence that the India women combat soldiers unfurled the national flag at forward post.

India Today team reached Thangi post in Kinnaur to bring this exclusive report.

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'IT IS WITH A GREAT SENSE OF PRIDE, I UNFURLED THE NATIONAL FLAG'

Nealy 640 kilometers away from the national capital Delhi, 20 women soldiers part of 19th Battalion of ITBP took charge of the post early morning today at Thangi post in Kinnaur district.

Shivani Aggarwal, a young 23-year-old sub-inspector of 19th battalion, ITBP, who unfurled the flag told India Today, "It is with a great sense of pride, I unfurled the national flag. Women are equal to men in every sense, but in the force (ITBP), it is more true. We take all responsibility at the borders and today I am so proud that we are breaking all barriers."

A dainty looking Heena Thakur, a 22-year-old hawaldar from Simla, now in Thangi post, said, "There is no difference between men and women. We face same hardship as the men, and our male counterparts support us. It is a proud moment for us, that women unfurled the flag at this important border."

These 20 women are among 2000 soldiers of Mahila Contingent who were recently inducted in ITBP after 44 weeks of training in battle craft and mountain survival.

The commandant of 19th Battalion, ITBP, in Sarhan says with immense pride "Let the world know that women are here at such heights. They are doing equally good as men. These women soldiers work and guard with the same zeal morale. They are looking at volatile border just the way as our male soldiers do."

WOMEN MANNING 20 OUT OF 176 BORDER OUT POSTS AT BORDER

Deployed in combat roles, ITBP women soldiers are proving their mettle at the Indo-China border. They are now manning 20 out of 176 Border Out Posts.

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs' guidelines, the Cental Armed Police Force need to induct 33 per cent women in workforce but in ITBP, the conditions are harsh, so only 15 per cent women are inducted and deployed.

ITBP will have to increase its strength from current 2000 to 10,000 to reach the target.

But ITBP faces a tough challenge.

They have asked the UPSC to induct women officers from the rank of Assistant Commadant, so that the force can fulfill another target of having an all woman post, again a first for any paramilitary force.

Many women officers have overcome personal and professional challenges to be a part of ITBP.

WOMEN ARE HERE TO STAY

Seema, a constable from Moradabad, says she is has five sisters and her father was in UP roadways. The family wanted her to be a teacher, but she fought her way to become a combat soldier.

"Women are here to stay in the force," she said.

Inspector Bhola Nath, who is set to retire this year, says "I have been in ITBP for 36 years, and now I see a huge change with women being deployed at such harsh battlefields. But women are conquering new heights every day, so this was bound to happen. Women are also sincere, and with training as tough as men. So it is a welcome step that women are reaching such forward post."

The motivation level among women cadres remains very high.

These women have a tough regimen which includes physical training, obstacle course, combat and non-combat.

Meena Rathore, another constable in 19th battalion, says "Women will always be in the front. We will continue to do so. We are proud to be ITBP jawans serving at Indo-China border. And if situation demanded ever, we will surely defeat the Chinese troops."

There has also been a significant delay in deployment of these women owing to infrastructure problems.

WORK IN PROGRESS

A senior ranking officer told India Today, "This is the first time women have been deployed, so their barracks had to be prepared, separate restrooms were to be set up at base and forward post. Both men and women soldiers needed to feel comfortable." But this has been a work in progress.

Women personnel have been spread to be posted along all border states including Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.

Security expert PK Sehgal says "As per known sources, women in Chinese PLA are deployed in auxiliary and non-combat roles and duties like intelligence gathering, research, political, administration, communication and propaganda. Their presence is between 7.5 per cent to 4.9 per cent."

He said, "Except for 1953, when the Chinese PLA women personnel were used as combat soldiers in Korean war, the women have not been deployed in combat roles. Perhaps, because manpower has not been a problem in China."

The chirpy group at Thangi post is unfazed, most of them with a big smile seeing the camera and mike. They have overcome many challenges to announce to the world that "women are on top."

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