This year, a pediatrician has performed one of the rarest feats in the armed forces. Major General Dr. Madhuri Kanitkar, former Dean of the Armed Forces Medical College of Pune, was promoted to the second-highest rank of Lt. General of the Indian Army.
This historic promotion has made her the third female officer and the first pediatrician to rise to the second-highest rank in the Indian Armed Forces, as announced.
Vice Admiral Dr. Punita Arora was the first woman in the Indian Navy to be ranked second in the Armed Forces, and Padmavathy Bandopadhyay, the first IAF Air Marshal, was the second woman in the Armed Forces to be ranked three-star after Arora.
“This organisation is fair, transparent, respected and safe for a woman where she is given opportunities to grow. If there is one message I would like to share, it is to enjoy every day in uniform with childlike enthusiasm and challenge yourself to achieve the impossible. Never give up, just give back! To every woman in uniform, I can say ‘half the world is yours to take, but the full is yours to give’. So, always give your best,” said Lt Gen Kanitkar (source: The Indian Express).
Interestingly, this is the first time in the history of the Indian Armed Forces that a couple will hold the 3-star rank of Lieutenant General. Kanitkar and her husband Rajiv, also Lieutenant General, will be the first couple in the armed forces to pick up this rank.
Kanitkars become first-ever 3-star couple in Indian forces — Good news to begin your Sunday with, well done Dr Madhuri Kanitkar 🙏 https://t.co/oqB7YEPoBt
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) March 1, 2020
India gets its 3rd woman Lieutenant General Madhuri Kanitkar.She will be posted to the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff(IDS) under the Chief of Defence Staff(CDS).👍👏👍#MadhuriKanitkar #INDvNZ #IndianArmy pic.twitter.com/mzMhPP95fg
— Suyog Janunkar 🇮🇳 (@suyog_vj) March 1, 2020
Major General Dr #MadhuriKanitkar Promoted to Lt. Gen Rank, Third Woman in Indian Defence Forces to Become 3-Star Flag Officer#IndianArmy @adgpi https://t.co/U4n9Wxkwun
— LatestLY (@latestly) February 28, 2020
It's a #NewIndia for the women in uniform! @PandaJay congratulates & conveys best wishes to Major General Dr. #MadhuriKanitkar on her promotion to the second highest rank of Lt. General in Indian Army. She is the 3rd woman officer in the Indian armed forces to become Lt. General pic.twitter.com/fSNmaIAfAV
— Office of Jay Panda (@mp_office) February 29, 2020
Meet Speedy of #AFMC and Now Deputy Chief of #IndianArmy Lt Gen #MadhuriKanitkar , First time on @indiatvnews. Watch Exclusive interview. pic.twitter.com/E9b4dsNxDM
— Manish Prasad (@manishindiatv) March 2, 2020