Wing Commander Puja
Thakur became the first Indian woman officer ever to lead a tri-service
guard of honor for a visiting dignitary on Sunday.
She led the ceremonial
Guard of Honour for US President Barack Obama at the Rashtrapati Bhavan today
when he touched down here with wife Michelle.
Puja was promptly described
as a 'show-stealer' by the Indian television.
President Obama was given a
21-gun salute on the forecourt of the majestic presidential palace, after which
Wing Commander Thakur walked him down for the inspection of the Guard of
Honour.
This brought to focus the 'Nari Shakti' (women power) which is
the theme for this year's Republic Day parade in India.
President Obama
will be the chief guest for the Republic Day celebrations on Monday, which will
see woman contingents of the army, navy and the air force marching down Rajpath
for the first time.
"I have created history, so has the Indian Air Force,
by our Guard of Honor for the most powerful man in the world," Wing Commander
Thakur was quoted as telling NDTV, explaining that years of training had
prepared her for moments like this.
She hoped that she would inspire more
women to join the forces. "I hope it will be an inspiration to them to see that
woman officers are commanding contingents of men, and people are accepting it.
That's a message for everybody to come and join us," she said.
The
special Guard of Honour fired up social media, with many commenting that a woman
taking the lead sends a positive message.
"As a woman, I feel extremely
proud to learn about a Lady Commanding Officer leading the ceremonial Guard of
Honour to President Obama," tweeted Anandiben Patel, the Chief Minister of
Gujarat … successor in that position to now PM Narendra
Modi.
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