SSBCrack

Indian Military Academy Award Winners 🥇

@rav26051 @YakushinaLisa @AnupamkPandey Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET334 typically cruises at an altitude of approximately 30,000 to 37,000 feet during its journey from Addis Ababa (ADD) to Entebbe (EBB)

🇮🇳Indian Army doctors serving with the🇺🇳UN Mission handle medical emergency at nearly 30,000 feet - SSBCrack media Lieutenant Colonel Urmimala Bhattacharya & Lieutenant Colonel Kirti Sethi stabilised a passenger who developed seizure-like symptoms Mid-Flight on 🇪🇹Ethiopian Airlines

Former Uttarakhand CM Major General Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri (Retd) passes away in Dehradun

Lieutenant Colonel Urmimala Bhattacharya and Lieutenant Colonel Kirti Sethi of the Indian Army saved a passenger mid-flight on Ethiopian Airlines ET334. Both officers are serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan at the Indian Level 2+ Hospital under UNMISS. The emergency unfolded when a passenger developed seizure-like symptoms during the flight. The condition was suspected to be caused by hypoglycaemia, a dangerous drop in blood sugar level. At nearly 30,000 feet, with limited medical resources onboard, the situation demanded calm judgement and quick action. Lt Col Urmimala Bhattacharya and Lt Col Kirti Sethi immediately stepped forward. They assessed the passenger, identified the likely cause, and provided timely medical intervention using available onboard support. Their swift response helped stabilise the passenger and prevented the condition from worsening. Because of their effective handling of the emergency, the aircraft did not need to be diverted. Passengers from different nationalities appreciated the Indian Army doctors for their composed and professional response. Their actions reflected the discipline, preparedness, and humanitarian spirit of the Indian Army Medical Corps. The incident also highlights the vital role played by Indian peacekeepers in United Nations missions across the world. Indian Army doctors deployed under the UN flag continue to serve in challenging and unpredictable conditions. This mid-air intervention is a proud reminder of the Indian Army’s ethos of “Service Before Self.” Lt Col Urmimala Bhattacharya and Lt Col Kirti Sethi not only saved a passenger from a potentially serious medical crisis but also upheld India’s reputation in global peacekeeping.

Meet Colonel Mitali Madhumita In 2010, while serving in Kabul, Afghanistan, she showed extraordinary courage during a terrorist attack. At that time, she was a Major. Despite being from a non-combat arm, she rushed to the attack site to save lives. The area was hit by explosions, gunfire, grenades, and a suicide attack. Major Mitali Madhumita moved through danger and entered the damaged premises. She helped rescue injured Indian and foreign personnel from the rubble. Her calm and fearless actions saved lives. For this bravery, she was awarded the Sena Medal for Gallantry in 2011. She became the first woman officer in the Indian Army to receive the Sena Medal for gallantry.

Meet Squadron Leader Saanya: The First Woman Cat-A Qualified Flying Instructor in the Indian Air Force

Squadron Leader Saanya has created history by becoming the first woman officer in the Indian Air Force to earn the coveted Cat-A Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI) qualification.

Brigadier Srikant Purohit Assumes Appointment as Brigadier GS (Intelligence) at Headquarters South Western Command

Flight Lieutenant Dr. Gita Chanda created history in 1959. She became the first female paratrooper in the history of the Indian Armed Forces. At a time when field training and combat-support roles were largely closed to women, she dared to step forward. Dr. Gita Chanda was a Bengali woman originally from Rangpur in undivided Bengal. She joined the Indian Air Force Medical Stream as a doctor in November 1957. Her first posting was at Air Force Station Kalaikunda in West Bengal. In early 1959, the Indian Air Force invited medical professionals to volunteer for paratrooper training. Dr. Chanda applied with full determination. But her application was rejected as “Not Applicable” because she was a woman. She refused to accept this barrier. Her case reached Air Marshal Subroto Mukerjee, the first Indian Chief of the Air Staff. Air Marshal Mukerjee personally intervened and allowed her to train at the Paratroopers Training School, Agra. In May 1959, she joined PTS Agra as the only woman in her batch. On 17 July 1959, she made her historic jump from a C-47 Dakota aircraft over the Agra Dropping Zone. With that jump, she became India’s first female paratrooper. Her second jump was witnessed by then Defence Minister V. K. Krishna Menon. After completing seven successful tactical jumps, she was awarded her paratrooper wings. The wings were pinned on her by Air Marshal Subroto Mukerjee himself. But Dr. Chanda did not stop at earning the badge. She went on to serve as an instructor at the Paratroopers Training School. She trained batches that were made up entirely of men. Her discipline became legendary. She personally led trainees through tough 20-kilometre endurance runs in the North Indian heat. She was known for her no-nonsense attitude and strict training style. Her favourite military maxim was simple and powerful: “The more we sweat in peace, the less we bleed in war.” Dr. Gita Chanda later rose to the rank of Wing Commander. Her courage shattered old stereotypes about women in uniform. Her historic jump proved that women could match the toughest physical and mental standards of airborne training. Long before women entered many modern military roles, she had already opened the door. Flight Lieutenant Dr. Gita Chanda remains a true pioneer of women in the Indian Armed Forces.

Meet Major Dr. Dwipannita Kalita The Army Doctor Who Became Assam’s First Female Paratrooper Major Dr. Dwipannita Kalita is a medical officer in the Indian Army. She created history by becoming the first female paratrooper from Assam. Born and raised in Dhekiajuli, Sonitpur district, Assam, her journey began in a humble family background. From a small town in Assam, she went on to break barriers at the national level. She completed her schooling at Devendra Green Grove English School. Later, she graduated with distinction from Darrang College. She became the first girl from her district to move abroad for higher education. Major Kalita pursued her MBBS degree in Manila, Philippines. After returning to India, she completed her medical internship at AIIMS New Delhi in 2015. She also worked as a civilian doctor in Delhi hospitals, including Deen Dayal Hospital. Her experience in Emergency Medicine and OBG helped her develop strong trauma care and critical decision-making skills. In 2019, she married Dr. Charang Mate, an officer in the Army Medical Corps. But Major Kalita did not choose a conventional path. In 2020, she competed against more than 100 applicants from across India. She was selected for commissioning into the Army Medical Corps as a Captain. She entered active military service as a married woman in her 30s, challenging old stereotypes. Her biggest milestone came in 2023. At the age of 34, she volunteered for the intense paratrooper and airborne training at Agra. She successfully completed the course and earned the coveted Paratrooper Badge. She also earned the elite Maroon Beret. With this, she became Assam’s first female paratrooper. In January 2025, she was promoted to the rank of Major. She serves in the highly specialised Parachute Medical Regiment. This elite unit is trained to operate in combat zones and disaster-hit areas. Its personnel can be airdropped into active conflict zones and severe emergency situations. Major Kalita’s duties include setting up field hospitals in difficult terrain. She handles acute trauma injuries and life-saving emergency care under field conditions. Her journey proves that courage has no age limit. Her story also proves that gender and marital status cannot define a person’s potential. In August 2025, she was featured on the cover of Femina India Magazine’s Independence Day special edition. The edition honoured ten barrier-breaking women officers of the Indian Army. She appeared alongside distinguished officers, including Colonel Sofia Qureshi. Her achievement also received praise from Assam’s Health and Family Welfare Minister. She has become a source of pride for Assam and an inspiration for women across the Northeast. Outside duty, Major Kalita enjoys fitness, gardening, cooking, and listening to soft jazz music. She also spends time with her pet dogs, whom she calls her personal stressbusters. Her powerful words reflect her life perfectly: “You are not here to fit into the mould — you’re here to break out of it.” From Dhekiajuli to the Maroon Beret, Major Dr. Dwipannita Kalita’s journey is a story of courage, discipline, and determination. She is not just Assam’s first female paratrooper. She is a symbol of what Indian women in uniform can achieve when they refuse to accept limits.

The National Defence Academy (NDA) has integrated the SIG Sauer 716 assault rifle into its training curriculum, replacing older weapons to provide cadets with early exposure to modern, high-performance battlefield weaponry.

An emotional farewell in Serchhip. Students and teachers of Shalom Special School, also known as Vohbik School, bid a tearful goodbye to Colonel Archit Goswami, Commandant of 14 Assam Rifles, following his transfer to a new posting. Over the years, Col. Goswami remained closely associated with the school, supporting its students, encouraging special needs children, and contributing to the welfare of the institution. His farewell reflected not just respect for an officer, but deep gratitude for a leader who touched lives beyond the uniform.

Subedar Sunil Rathaur laid down his life in the line of duty on 13 May 2026. His courage, dedication and supreme sacrifice will always be remembered with deep respect and gratitude. Jai Hind

President Droupadi Murmu Confers National Florence Nightingale Award 2026 on Maj Gen Lissamma PV

Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar Appointed as Vice Chief of the Naval Staff

Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, currently serving as Vice Chief of Naval Staff, has been appointed as the next Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C) of the Western Naval Command

Formal Statement by Major General Rajiv Narayanan (Retd), AVSM, VSM (V) I, Major General Rajiv Narayanan (Retired), AVSM, VSM (V), a former senior officer of the Indian Army with over 37 years of distinguished service, wish to issue the following unequivocal statement: I have no son. I have never had a son. Any claim, video, post, or allegation suggesting that a person recently confronted in the United Kingdom by so-called “pedo- hunter” is my son is completely false, baseless, and malicious, as made by Baba Thoka, @ThokaReturns, on X. This appears to be a deliberate attempt at defamation and character assassination, linking my name — without any evidence whatsoever — to a private individual involved in an unrelated incident. I have no connection, familial or otherwise, with the person shown in the viral video circulating on platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok. Such false narratives not only cause immense distress to me and my family but also undermine the dignity and reputation I have built over decades of honourable service to the nation. Spreading unverified and fabricated claims for social media engagement or political motives is irresponsible and potentially actionable under Indian law, including provisions relating to defamation. I demand that all individuals, accounts, and platforms that have published or shared this false information immediately remove the content, issue public corrections, and cease further dissemination. Failure to do so will compel me to pursue appropriate legal remedies, both in India and the United Kingdom, against those responsible for originating and amplifying this misinformation. I request responsible media outlets and social media users to verify facts before sharing such damaging content. Issued on 8 May 2026 Major General Rajiv Narayanan (Retd), AVSM, VSM (V) #NewXAndroidFeedback

Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani (Retd) appointed as Chief of Defence Staff

Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan appointed as the next Chief of Naval Staff. Currently serving as the Western Naval Commander in Mumbai, he will assume charge on May 31, 2026. His tenure as Navy Chief will continue till December 31, 2028. Vice Admiral Swaminathan was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 01 July 1987. He is a specialist in Communication and Electronic Warfare. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, he has also studied at prestigious military institutions in the UK, India, and the USA. His academic credentials include: • Joint Services Command and Staff College, Shrivenham, United Kingdom • College of Naval Warfare, Karanja • United States Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, USA With nearly four decades of distinguished naval service, Vice Admiral Swaminathan is set to lead the Indian Navy into a new era of maritime strength and strategic preparedness. Jai Hind 🇮🇳

40 Nursing Cadets from College of Nursing, Command Hospital IAF Bengaluru, were commissioned into the Military Nursing Service.

Meet Captain Ruchi Sharma The first Indian woman to earn the coveted maroon beret. A trailblazer who became India’s first operational woman paratrooper. Captain Ruchi Sharma joined the Indian Army in 1996. She was commissioned into the Army Ordnance Corps. At a time when women officers were still entering non-medical branches in limited numbers, she chose the tougher path. She volunteered for paratrooper training. The training was physically demanding. It tested endurance, courage, discipline, and mental strength. One of the toughest tasks included a 40-km jog with a 10-kg load. But she did not give up. In 1997, she successfully completed the Basic Airborne Course. She earned the elite maroon beret. She became the first Indian woman to qualify as an operational paratrooper. Her first jump from an aircraft became a moment she would never forget. She later served in challenging terrains, including Ladakh. During her seven-year service, she proved her courage and commitment again and again. In 1999, she was awarded the General Oberoi Trophy for Best Women Adventurer. She was also honoured with the President’s Gold Medal. Later, she received the First Ladies Award for her pioneering contribution. In 2003, Captain Ruchi Sharma voluntarily retired from the Army. She chose to dedicate herself fully to raising her daughter. After retirement, she continued serving society as an educationist. She became the Principal of an Army school. Even today, she continues to inspire young women to dream big. Captain Ruchi Sharma’s story is not just about one officer. It is about courage. It is about breaking barriers. It is about proving that determination has no gender. Her maroon beret was earned through sweat, discipline, and an unbreakable spirit. Captain Ruchi Sharma remains a symbol of courage, service, and possibility. Jai Hind.