Major Mitali Madhusmita becomes the first woman officer to get bravery award

The Army may not have resolute to give everlasting charge to women or allow them combat roles but Major Mitali Madhusmita has made history by becoming the first woman officer to win a Sena Medal for bravery.

History was created on Friday morning at Yodha Hall of the Southwestern Command when the GOC-in-C, Lt General SK Singh, pinned the medal on Maj Mitali.

An officer in the education group, she was recognized for exemplary bravery, grit and valour displayed by her after the terror attack on the Indian location in Kabul on February 26, 2010, that killed 19 people, including seven Indians.

The officer, who was on a UN mission, had rushed to the attack site and helped in saving lives of those harshly injured in the attack. Impressed with Major Mitali’s valour beyond the call of duty, Lt Gen Singh praised the woman officer’s bravery during his special address to the soldiers of Southwestern Command. On this occasion, he also awarded eight other officers with the Sena Medal for bravery.

The officer’s mother, Anjali Dass, a retired lecturer of economics, said she wanted Mitali to become a lecturer after completing her masters in English literature but she preferred to join the Army. "Today she has made me proud by achieving this feat," she said.

Her mother also informed that Mitali was a NCC cadet during college days and had also attended a youth exchange programme at Canada at that time.

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