Lt Gen Sadhna Nair: Pioneering First Woman as Director General Medical Services (Army)

A Trailblazer in Military Medicine with a Legacy of Service

Lt Gen Sadhna Saxena Nair has shattered the glass ceiling in the Indian Armed Forces by becoming the first woman to assume the role of Director General Medical Services (Army). Her historic appointment marks a significant milestone in the Indian military's history.

Before this, she was the first woman to serve as Director General Hospital Services (Armed Forces), a position she attained upon her promotion to the rank of Air Marshal. Lt Gen Nair's educational journey began at St. Mary's Convent in Prayagraj and continued across several schools in India, culminating in her graduation from the Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, where she distinguished herself academically. Commissioned into the Army Medical Corps in December 1985, she has had an illustrious career.

Lt Gen Nair holds a postgraduate degree in Family Medicine and diplomas in Maternal and Child Health and Health Care Management. She also completed a two-year training program in Medical Informatics at AIIMS, New Delhi. Her expertise extends to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) warfare, having trained with the Israeli Defence Forces, and military medical ethics, with training from the Swiss Armed Forces in Spiez, Switzerland.

Her career is studded with firsts, including being the first woman Principal Medical Officer of both the Western Air Command and the Training Command of the Indian Air Force (IAF). She has been recognized for her exceptional service with commendations from the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (Western Air Command) and the Chief of the Air Staff, along with the prestigious Vishisht Seva Medal awarded by the President of India.

Lt Gen Nair's family boasts a proud legacy of military service spanning three generations. She is married to Air Marshal KP Nair (Retd), and her family includes military doctors and IAF fighter pilots. Lt Gen Nair's contributions to the field of military medicine are further underscored by her role as an expert member of the Dr. K Kasturirangan Committee, which was instrumental in drafting the medical education component of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2019.

With her unparalleled achievements and dedication, Lt Gen Sadhna Saxena Nair stands as a beacon of inspiration in the Indian Armed Forces, paving the way for future generations of women in the military.

Reference:

www.indiatoday.in