Parwinder Sandhu
New Delhi, Jan 23 (.) Blending a lifelong passion for animals with professional expertise in veterinary science, Captain Harshita has created history by becoming the first woman officer to be inducted into the Remount Veterinary Corps (RVC) of the Indian Army. A graduate in Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry (B.V.Sc & A.H.), she will lead the RVC contingent at the Republic Day parade, marking a significant milestone for the Corps and the Army.
For the first time, the RVC of the Indian Army, tasked with the breeding, training and care of all military animals such as horses, mules and dogs, will deploy a specialised animal contingent, underscoring the Army’s high-altitude operational requirements. The contingent will comprise Bactrian camels, Zanskar ponies, raptors, and indigenous military canines.
Speaking with the ., the young Captain said that joining the RVC fulfilled her childhood dream of being an army officer and being close to the animals as a veterinarian.
Hailing from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, the young captain is second among three siblings. “Unfortunate,” she says on a lighter note. “Being the first woman officer in the Corps was indeed a moment of pride for me and my family back home. Army is a gender-neutral force and here an officer is an officer irrespective of the gender,” said the proud Contingent Commander.
Providing details about the preparation which went into grooming and training the animals for their appearance for the upcoming Republic Day parade, Capt Harshita said it requires a lot of neuro science. “They are highly trainable and were made operation ready through a series of intensive training routine,” she said, adding that the animals are subjected to 56-minute grooming routine on daily basis.
The Corps’ canine units, comprising both indigenous and standard breeds, perform a wide spectrum of operational tasks, including explosive detection, tracking, avalanche response and counter-terrorism duties. Indigenous breeds now extensively inducted include the Mudhol Hound, Rampur Hound, Chippiparai, Kombai and Rajapalayam.
The Bactrian camels, or better known as double hump camels, are the force’s next-generation pack animal bearing capability to operate in Ladakh, with the ability to function at altitudes exceeding 15,000 feet and transport loads of up to 250 kilograms in severe cold and low-oxygen conditions. Zanskar ponies, known for their remarkable stamina in similar high-altitude environments, can carry 40–60 kilograms and routinely support patrols covering up to 70 kilometres a day.
. PWS .
