Veer Nari Lt Col Randhawa

CHANDIGARH: On June 17, 1997, Ravinder Jit Randhawa’s life lay shattered – her husband, Major Sukhwinder Jeet Singh Randhawa (Kirti Chakra, posthumous), had sacrificed his life fighting terrorists in Kashmir. Barely 15 months later, she graduated from Officers Training Academy, Chennai, as a lieutenant, wearing the same olive green as her husband.Lt Col Randhawa (retd) turned out to be India’s first Veer Nari (war widow) to become an officer. She served 24 years and continues to inspire women to join the military.On the eve of Int’l Women’s Day, TOI spoke with her and another trailblazer, Major Priya Jhingan (retd), who has the pride of being Lady Cadet 001. The two rewrote history in the armed forces. Their journeys broke barriers and helped open doors for women across entry streams in the Army.

A promise keptLt Col Randhawa’s decision to join the Army after a deeply personal loss broke institutional barriers, with the Army relaxing age and marital status restrictions: “After a loss like ours, the ground beneath your feet disappears. Becoming a commissioned officer gave me purpose.”She said her upbringing in Punjab, with its deep respect for soldiers, and the desire to honour her husband’s legacy strengthened her resolve. “I draw immense strength from my mother.”She recalled how ex-Army chief Gen VP Malik and his wife Dr Ranjana Malik had a key role in her donning the olive green. It was only after her request to Gen Malik, who wrote to govt, that the Army opened the gates for Veer Naaris. “Indian armed forces became the first in the world to take such a step. It reflects the spirit of women’s representation and empowerment.”Her message to women: “Life can push you to unimaginable extremes. But if you believe in yourself, no challenge is insurmountable.”In letter and spiritMajor Jhingan’s journey into the Army began with a simple yet bold act. As a school student, she wrote to then Chief of Army Staff, Gen Sunith Francis Rodrigues, urging him to allow women to join the forces.“In Class X, I came across an advertisement inviting young men to join the Army. I realised I met every qualification mentioned, except one: I was not a ‘young man’.”Her determination paid off. In 1992, Jhingan joined the first batch of 25 women officers at OTA, Chennai, earning the distinction of Lady Cadet 001. “For me, it was never about being the first. It was about ensuring the doors opened for many more young women who dreamed of wearing the uniform,” she said. “I was not there to compete with men or prove I was better than men. I was there to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them in serving the nation.“