'Kali Mata Ka Roop': Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi Signals Support for Women in Frontline Roles

General Upendra Dwivedi on Tuesday said women personnel in the Indian Army embody the spirit of warriors like Goddess Kali. Speaking on the induction of more women in combat roles, the Army chief referred

to them as "Kali mata ka roop", invoking the warrior goddess. There are a large number of women officers and now, ORs or Other Ranks in the Army and even, last year, the Army had decided to open the Artillery wing to women officers, he said. But India is a country that still has girls-only schools and colleges and it is important for social acceptability. "If society is willing to accept," then certainly the Army will go ahead. But it had to happen in sequence: first, a clear acceptability in society, and then, positions in the remaining areas like infantry and special forces. The chief made it clear that he favoured "gender neutrality" in the Army.

Currently, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has women fighter pilots. In the Navy too, there are a large number of women officers in every area, except submarines and there too, a decision has been taken, in principle, to have women submariners. The presence of more women in the armed forces is only part of the changes that are happening. The armed forces are working towards a Rocket and Missile Force, drones-- perhaps even a lakh of them for various different tasks-- will be planned for in the future. Integrated Battle Groups, the chief told reporters, will happen, and also, special units whether at the battalion or brigade level, not only in the infantry, but also, the artillery and later, the armoured corps and the mechanised infantry. The Rocket and Missile Force is under serious discussion, and whether it will be a separate force under the chief of defence staff remains to be seen. Drones are the future and they can be used for a variety of purposes, including for strikes, and also, for surveillance and load-carrying. Similarly, the Zorawar, the indigenously designed light tank, has undergone trials in the mountains and its performance will be tested in the desert. Then, there may be some small changes to deal with the limitations seen, he said.

New technology is another major issue. The Army chief mentioned Artificial Intelligence, adding that the Army "needs AI everywhere."