Latest news with #AnumaAcharya
United News of India
21-05-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Cong to hold Jai Hind meetings nationwide from May 24-31
New Delhi, May 21 (UNI) The Congress on Wednesday announced that the party will organise Jai Hind meetings across the country from May 24 to 31, to salute the valour of the Armed Forces during Operation Sindoor. Addressing a press conference here, Congress leaders Col Rohit Chaudhry along with Wing Commander Anuma Acharya (Retd) asked the government to tell the people of the country as to how the Pahalgam terror attack happened and how India launched Operation Sindoor. Giving information about the Jai Hind meeting, Col Rohit said, "In the first phase, 16 cities have been selected where 'Jai Hind' meetings will be held. In these meetings, we will salute the bravery of our soldiers". 'The country has been going through a very difficult phase for almost a month. From April 22 itself, the Congress party has given full support to the government and we have told the government that we will stand firmly with you in every strong action taken against Pakistan,' he said. He emphasised that the grand old party fully supported Operation Sindoor launched by the government. He praised the armed forces for destroying several terror hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Raising question on the announcement of ceasefire, the Army veteran said, 'We were winning, our army was foiling Pakistan's drones, missiles and all other types of was the fourth day of the battle, but suddenly in the evening a ceasefire was announced'. Alleging that the ceasefire was announced from American soil, which was a matter of shame for all, Col Rohit said, 'The country was united in this entire situation, but the government imposed a ceasefire on us'. He said, "In my career, I have never seen terrorists kill people one by one, find a safe route to escape and then escape". He alleged that it was "a huge failure of security, a failure of the Home Ministry". Moreover, Anuma Acharya slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for calling a meeting of NDA Chief Ministers on May 25. 'Regarding PM Modi's meeting with NDA Chief Ministers on 25th, we want to ask what crimes did the Opposition Chief Ministers commit, why were they not called in this meeting? Our demand is that all the Chief Ministers of the country should be included in this meeting,' she said.
United News of India
10-05-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
SC decision on permanent commission will boost morale of women officers: Congress
New Delhi, May 10 (UNI) The Congress on Saturday hailed the Supreme Court's recent decision on granting permanent commission to women in the Indian Army, calling it a landmark step that will significantly uplift the morale of women officers across the country. Addressing a press conference here, Congress leader and retired Indian Air Force officer Wing Commander Anuma Acharya expressed strong support for the verdict. 'The decision of the Supreme Court which came yesterday (Friday) provides a lot of relief, and in the current environment of the country, it will boost the morale of women officers,' she said. She said that on Friday, the Supreme Court issued an order in support of the women officers, directing that the Short Service Commissioned women officers who had filed the petition be reinstated in service until the next hearing. Justice Suryakant emphasised the importance of maintaining the morale of women officers during these times and acknowledged their talent and capabilities. Acharya mentioned that she was personally a 'beneficiary of this case,' recalling that it was during the Congress government's tenure in 1992 when the entry of women officers was first allowed. She noted that the Indian Air Force, on behalf of the Defence Ministry, had issued a circular on November 25, 1991, stating that the induction of women officers would begin as a pilot project. Between 1999 and 2004, when the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) was discontinued for other government employees, the provision of pensions for women officers was also withdrawn. In 2007, Wing Commander Anupama Joshi and Squadron Leader Rukhsan Haq were the first to take the matter to court. Following their lead, women officers from the Army also became part of the legal battle. By mid-2009, all related cases were consolidated, and the Delhi High Court reserved its judgment on the matter on December 14, 2009. On March 12, 2010, the court delivered a verdict in favor of the women officers. However, the case of the Indian Air Force held a stronger position due to formal backing by a Ministry of Defence circular. Around this time, approximately 15 of us women officers, met Rahul Gandhi on March 23, 2010. He assured us that he would advocate for our case before the Defence Ministry, based on its merits. Since a policy letter had been issued specifically for the case of women officers in the Indian Air Force, 23 officers, including myself, were granted permanent commission at that time. However, no such policy was introduced for the Army, which led the remaining women officers to continue their legal battle in the Supreme Court for the next ten years through the Babita Punia vs Government of India case. She highlighted the evolving landscape of women's participation in the armed forces, noting that policy changes since 2006 have progressively opened doors for women. 'Two and a half years ago, women got entry into the Army through the NDA. Now we can imagine that 30 years from today, we might see one or more women reaching the position of Army Chief,' she added. She emphasised that while the path to top roles such as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) has traditionally been available to male officers, recent shifts indicate a growing reconsideration of entry schemes for women officers as well. 'Now the Supreme Court has decided that the women officers should be reinstated until the next hearing in August. We welcome this decision of the top court,' she said. UNI RBE PRS
