Captain Surbhi Jakhmola becomes 1st woman officer to be posted at BRO
Border Roads Organisation: The Border Roads Organization’s Captain Surbhi Jakhmola, a member of the 117 Engineer Regiment of the Indian Army, would be the organization’s first female officer to be posted abroad (BRO). The officer will be sent to Bhutan as part of Project Dantak. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is an executive road construction force in India that supports the Indian armed forces.
January 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
Overview of the news
- The BRO’s deployment comes just days after the Indian Air Force deployed woman fighter pilot squadron leader Avani Chaturvedi to Japan for the exercise Veer Guardian 2023, which will take place at the Iruma Air Base in Sayama, Japan, as well as the Hyakuri Air Base and its adjacent airspace in Omitama from January 16 to 26.
- Avani Chaturvedi, a Su-30MKI pilot and one of India’s first three women fighter pilots will depart for Japan shortly to take part in the exercise. Madhya Pradesh is where Chaturvedi was born, raised, and completed her schooling. She was inducted into the IAF fighter squadron after 6 months of intensive training at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal, Hyderabad.
- The Indian Armed Forces also deployed a woman officer, Captain Shiva Chauhan of the Corps of Engineers, to a frontline post in Siachen Glacier. The first such deployment has occurred on the highest battlefield in the world. The officer was assigned to the Kumar post in Siachen last week for a three-month assignment after undergoing rigorous training, according to Army officials.
- According to government data presented last month in Lok Sabha, the percentage of women officers in the Indian armed forces is as follows: The Indian Air Force has the highest proportion of women officers, accounting for 13.69%, followed by the Indian Navy at six per cent and the Indian Army at 3.97 per cent.
About the BRO:
BRO builds and maintains road networks along India’s borders and in friendly neighbouring countries. It is also included in the armed forces Order of Battle, ensuring their support at all times. BRO was established on May 7, 1960. BRO was completely handed to the ministry of defence in 2015 to enhance border connectivity. It is responsible for maintaining the road network in the border areas of India.
Director General Border Roads Organization –Lt. Gen. Rajeev Chowdhary.