Captain Meera Dave: The First Ever Gujarati Woman Army Officer From Surat |
Captain Meera Dave: Pride for Surat City and Nation and Inspirational to women.
Captain Meera Dave, a veteran of the Indian Army Ordnance Corps, is not only the pride of Surat but also an inspiration for millions of women across the country. She had been dreaming of defending the nation since she was just nine years old, and she achieved it at the age of 23 by becoming the first Gujarati woman army officer from Surat. She is also the brand ambassador of four NCC battalions in Gujarat.
How the Kargil War Sparked Her Patriotism and Passion for the Army:
As the nation celebrates Kargil Vijay Diwas on 26th July to commemorate the victory of the Indian Armed Forces over the Pakistan Army in the 1999 Kargil War, Captain Meera recalls how she was motivated to join the Military by the news of the war. She was studying in class 11 at an international boarding school in Chennai when she read about war and felt a surge of patriotism. She also used to see the posters of ‘Join Indian Army’ outside the Officers Training Academy and imagined herself wearing the uniform.
How She Prepared Herself Academically and Physically to Become an Army Officer:
She completed her graduation in Zoology and post-graduation in Bio-Technology, then started preparation to join the Military as an officer. She took NCC training during her college education and cleared the selection process on her first attempt. She underwent rigorous training at the Officers Training Academy in Chennai and was commissioned as a lieutenant in 2006.How She Served at Various Locations and Faced Many Challenges:
Her first posting was at Lalgarh Chatta on the Rajasthan border, where she faced the scorching heat. She later served at the places like Jabalpur, Pune, Leh Ladakh, and Kashmir, where she had many challenging experiences. She narrated some of them, such as: Helping Kashmiri Pandit women to become self-reliant by sending them for a certificate course in fashion designing at Usha Academy in Lucknow and providing them with sewing machines. She received the ‘Gold Medallion Award’ for this achievement. Learning the marvelous art of living from the Military taught her discipline, teamwork, leadership, and resilience. Balancing her personal and professional life with the support of her parents and husband.
How She Became a Role Model for All:
Captain Meera Dave is a living example of courage, dedication, and passion. She has proved that success is not merely a matter of luck but a result of hard work and determination. Captain has proved that women can excel in any field and contribute to the nation’s glory. She is a role model for all.She considers her 14 years of national service through the Short Service Commission as the golden years of her life. After leaving the Army, she studied at the prestigious Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad (IIM, Ahmedabad) and worked in the corporate sector. She now lives in Surat with her husband, Siddharth Dave, who runs DMP Security Company and Mark Success Pvt. Global Education - companies that provide educational services.
How She Empowered 150 Women to Become Self-Sufficient:
-How She Participated in ‘Operation Sadbhavana’ in Kashmir and Received the ‘Gold Medallion Award.’
She shared her experience participating in ‘Operation Sadbhavana’ in Baramulla, Kashmir, from 2007 to 2009. It was an initiative by the Indian Army to provide financial assistance to Kashmiri women who had lost their male relatives due to terrorism. She convinced seven Kashmiri women to go for a certificate course in fashion design at Usha Academy in Lucknow. These women came back, trained, and taught other women. The Indian Army provided sewing machines to 150 such women and helped them become self-sufficient. She received the ‘Gold Medallion Award’ for this achievement.
How She Learned the Wonderful Art of Living from the Army:
-How She Developed the Qualities of an Army Officer and Balanced Her Personal and Professional Life.
She said that being an army officer requires certain qualities. “Army is not a profession, but an educational center that teaches the wonderful art of living.”
She considers her 14 years of national service through the Short Service Commission as the golden years of her life. She attributes her success to her parents’ support and husband’s guidance. After leaving the Army, she studied at the prestigious Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad (IIM, Ahmedabad) and worked in the corporate sector. She now lives in Surat with her husband, Siddharth Dave, who runs DMP Security Company and Mark Success Pvt. Global Education is a company that provides educational services.How She Urges Every Citizen to Be a Soldier Within the Border:-How She Advises Them to Work for the Country’s Development and Safety and to Be Vigilant and Accountable.Captain Meera urges every citizen of the country to be a soldier within the border and to work for the country’s development and safety. She also advises them to be vigilant and accountable for the events around them.
She says that unity is the key to strength.
Related links and source:
- Twitter: @CaptMeera
- Gujaarati Newspaper: Divya Bhasker.
- English Newspaper: Loktej.
- YouTube Video: Oneindia News
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