Policy Decision on Combat Role for Women Soon, Says Manohar Parrikar

Mumbai: Close on the heels of the Indian Air Force mooting a proposal to induct women as fighter aircraft pilots, another male bastion may give way with Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today stating that his ministry was looking at combat role for women in the armed forces.

"My ministry is working out (how) to assign combat role for women in the armed forces, and a policy decision will soon be made," Mr Parrikar said, addressing a gathering of retired army officers at Welingkar Institute of Management in Mumbai.

Earlier this week, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha had said the IAF had moved a proposal to induct women as fighter aircraft pilots.

"We have women pilots flying transport aircraft and helicopters. We are now planning to induct them into the fighter stream to meet the aspirations of young women in India," IAF Chief Arup Raha had said on the occasion of IAF celebrating its 83rd anniversary last week.

Mr Parrikar said, "It is extremely unfortunate that our Prime Minister's initiatives such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and Selfie With Daughter are not being taken seriously by a few people, especially so-called secular-minded people."

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"When our PM emphasizes Selfie with Daughter, it does not only address the issue of gender equality but also the disorder of gender insensitivity prevailing in the current form of society in a larger context," he said.

Mr Parrikar was in the city to pay tribute to late Lt Dilip Gupte on his 50th death anniversary. Mr Gupte died at a young age of 23 in Operation Jura Bridge on October 11, 1965 during the Indo-Pak war.

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Striking a personal note, Mr Parrikar said he never thought that he would become the defence minister, but "like everyone, I too had no control over my destiny."