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India.com
07-06-2025
- General
- India.com
Meet Colonel Sapna Rana: From Milking Cattles To Himachals First Woman Army Commanding Officer- Awarded With The Prestigious Sena Medal
As part of its "Women of Impact" series, @thebetterindia recently shared Colonel Sapna Rana's incredible journey on their official Instagram page. This post not only resonated with celebrities but also with online communities, sparking a wave of admiration. Indian Army officer Colonel Sapna Rana has garnered media attention for her incredible rise from a small Himachal Pradesh village to the highest echelons of the armed forces. Sapna was born and raised in the Solan district's Bhawanipur. Her life story is an inspiration to the strength of tenacity, hard effort, and a strong desire to help others. Early Life And Challenges Colonel Sapna Rana's story, which began with him tending cattle and walking halfway to college to save money, strikes a deep chord. Her career path appeared to be far removed from the disciplined world of the military. Her father Rajender Thakur is a teacher and her mother Krishna Thakur is a housemaker. She finished her education and graduated from Solan. She served as the Senior Under Officer at 1 HP Girls NCC Battalion in Solan during her college years, which marked the beginning of her path to military excellence. She was an extremely disciplined and committed cadet. She was notably the only NCC cadet from Himachal Pradesh to be chosen for the esteemed Kargil Vijay Camp in the Kargil district. A Career Marked By Excellence Colonel Rana enrolled in the Officers Training Academy in Chennai in 2003 after passing the Service Selection Board, and she was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Indian Army in 2004. Commissioned into the Army Ordnance Corps in 2004, Sapna has held various prestigious appointments, including Commandant of the Army Ordnance Corps Centre and School. She showed exceptional athleticism throughout her training, winning gold in obstacle course, cross-country, and Academy endurance training. She currently commands an Army Service Corps battalion in the Northeast, a feat that makes her the first woman officer from Himachal Pradesh to achieve this distinction. Throughout her career, Sapna has been recognized for her exceptional leadership skills, strategic thinking, and operational expertise. She has been awarded the prestigious Sena Medal and the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card, and has also been recognized for her excellence in sports and shooting.
India Gazette
01-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Lt General Dinesh Rana assumes charge as 18th Commander-in-Chief of Andaman and Nicobar Command
New Delhi [India], June 1 (ANI): Lieutenant General Dinesh Rana on Sunday assumed charge as the 18th Commander-in-Chief of Andaman and Nicobar Command. Rana relinquished the appointment of Director General Defence Intelligence Agency and Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff Intelligence on May 31. In a post on social media X, Headquarters of the Integrated Defence Staff wrote, 'Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, #CISC & All Ranks of HQ IDS congratulate and wish him best of luck in future endeavours.' Rana was commissioned into the 10th Battalion of the Garhwal Rifles on December 19, 1987 and commanded the same battalion. In a career spanning over 37 years, the General Officer has held diverse operational, instructional, and staff appointments across various terrains and theatres. His service includes tenures with the Indian Military Training Team and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. He has commanded an Infantry Brigade and Division in the Eastern Sector and subsequently led the Gajraj Corps along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Rana has also served as an instructor at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. His staff appointments include Brigade Major of an Independent Armoured Brigade, Deputy Director General Staff Duties, Brigadier Military Intelligence (East), Provost Marshal, and Director General Staff Duties at Integrated Headquarters, Ministry of Defence (Army). Prior to taking over as CINCAN, the General Officer served as Director General, Defence Intelligence Agency, making history as the first Chief of Defence Intelligence to be elevated to the rank of Commander-in-Chief -- a reflection of the growing importance of defence intelligence and jointmanship in India's military leadership. For his distinguished service, Lt Gen Rana has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), Yudh Seva Medal (YSM), Sena Medal (SM), and the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card. As a young officer, he earned the Sena Medal and COAS Commendation for gallantry in Kashmir. He also holds a Ph.D. in China's defence modernisation. (ANI)
