Akshita Dhankar Joins President Murmu To Hoist Flag, Showcasing Women Leaders In Defence
IAF Flight Lieutenant Akshita Dhankar unfurled the national flag with President Murmu on Republic Day.
Flight Lieutenant Akshita Dhankar of the Indian Air Force (IAF) made headlines by unfurling the national flag alongside President Droupadi Murmu during the 77th Republic Day celebrations at Kartavya Path. Her role symbolises both a personal milestone and the increasing recognition of women officers in India’s armed forces.
Born in Kasni village, Haryana, Dhankar comes from a family with a military background, her father having served in the IAF. She pursued her education at Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khasla College in Delhi, where she joined the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and rose to the rank of Cadet Sergeant Major, demonstrating early leadership and discipline.
Driven by her ambition to join the IAF, Dhankar cleared the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) and earned a recommendation from the Air Force Selection Board (AFSB), Mysore. She was commissioned as a flying officer in June 2023 and, within three years, rose to the rank of flight lieutenant in the Administration (ADM) branch.
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The 77th Republic Day parade also saw other women officers achieving historic milestones. Simran Bala, 26, an Assistant Commandant from Jammu and Kashmir, led an all-male contingent of over 140 CRPF personnel, while Squadron Leader Nikita Chaudhary marched alongside Flight Lieutenants Prakhar Chandrakar and Dinesh, highlighting the increasing visibility of women in uniform.
These achievements underscore the armed forces’ commitment to gender inclusivity and the breaking of traditional barriers in leadership roles. Women officers are now taking center stage in ceremonies, operational commands, and frontline roles, reflecting India’s evolving approach to defence and empowerment.
Akshita Dhankar’s journey—from a small village in Haryana to unfurling the national flag in the capital—serves as an inspiration for young women aspiring to careers in the armed forces, symbolising courage, dedication, and the expanding opportunities for women in India’s defence services.
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