Standing shoulder to shoulder with men in every starta of the society, a woman is inspiring thousands of others to achieve the impossible. Even the history of India has witnessed the power of woman from Indira Gandhi to Mother Teresa and Sarojini Naidu and one such woman who has created history is Punita Arora. She is the First Woman Lieutenant General of Indian Army
Here are some facts about Punita Arora
1. Born in a Punjabi family, Punita hails from Lahore who moved to India during partition and is now settled in Saharanpur,Uttar Pradesh. Punita came to India with empty hands but lot of dreams to fulfil.
2. In 2005, she was made the first women Vice-Admiral of Indian Navy. She also became the first woman officer to command the Armed Force Medical College, when she took control over it in 2004.
3. Punita turned out to be the topper of the batch after she got her admission in Armed Forces Medical College, Pune in 1963.
4. Punita took the charge of the commandant of Armed Forces Medical College in 2004 thereafter becoming the first woman officer to command the medical college. Before becoming Vice admiral of the Indian navy, she was commandant of AFMC.
5. Punita has been honoured with 15 medals and various awards in her career for her achievement. She was also awarded Vishist Seva Medal, Param Vishisht Seva Medal & Sena Medal for her contribution.
6. Prior to retirement, Punita used to serve the army as dermatoligist. Her husband has retired as a Brigadier. Punita is blessed with two kids – her son is a dermatologist and daughter is pursuing her higher education.
7. Punita had played a major role in providing help, shelter, and other daily services to needy people at the time of the terrorist attack on the army camp at Kaluchak, Jammu. She has also provided gynae-endoscopy and oncology facilities and pioneering invitro-fertilisation and assisted reproductive techniques for infertile and childless couples in military hospitals.
Author: Rima Chowdhury