AI Generated Summary
- For Lt Parul Dhadwal, the gold medal is more than a personal triumph — it is a testament to a legacy of service, sacrifice, and an enduring commitment to the nation.
- He also awarded the Sword of Honour and silver medal to Raj Biswas, adjudged the overall best cadet, and the bronze medal to Pranjal Dixit, who ranked third in the order of merit.
- In a landmark achievement blending heritage and excellence, Lieutenant Parul Dhadwal from Punjab has been commissioned into the Indian Army after securing the coveted gold medal for topping the order of merit at the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai.
In a landmark achievement blending heritage and excellence, Lieutenant Parul Dhadwal from Punjab has been commissioned into the Indian Army after securing the coveted gold medal for topping the order of merit at the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai. She also holds the rare distinction of being the first woman officer in her family, marking a new chapter in a proud martial legacy that spans five generations.
Lt Dhadwal, who hails from Janauri village in Hoshiarpur district, joins the Army Ordnance Corps following her passing-out parade on Saturday. Her father, Major General KS Dhadwal — a serving officer and former commander of the 27 Mountain Division — and her brother, Captain Dhananjay Dhadwal of 20 Sikh, continue the family’s active service tradition.
A Rare Military Lineage
While second- and third-generation officers are fairly common, the occurrence of fourth- and fifth-generation officers is exceptional. Lt Dhadwal’s lineage traces back to her great-great-grandfather, Subedar Harnam Singh of 74 Punjabis, who served from 1896 to 1924. Her great-grandfather, Major LS Dhadwal, was with 3 Jat, while Col Daljit Singh Dhadwal of 7 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles and Brig Jagat Jamwal of 3 Kumaon represented the third generation. With Lt Parul’s commissioning, the family now proudly counts three serving officers in uniform at the same time — an unusual and inspiring feat.
A Parade of Distinction
Lt Dhadwal was part of the Short Service Commission (Women) – 34 Course, graduating alongside the Short Service Commission – 120 Course for male cadets. In total, 155 officer cadets, including 25 women, joined the Indian Army as Lieutenants. They were joined by 21 cadets from nine friendly foreign nations, 12 of whom were women, who completed their training at OTA.
Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, who reviewed the parade, underscored the increasingly complex nature of modern battlefields and urged the new officers to embrace lifelong learning, teamwork, and self-discovery. He also awarded the Sword of Honour and silver medal to Raj Biswas, adjudged the overall best cadet, and the bronze medal to Pranjal Dixit, who ranked third in the order of merit.
For Lt Parul Dhadwal, the gold medal is more than a personal triumph — it is a testament to a legacy of service, sacrifice, and an enduring commitment to the nation.
