A daughter follows her father’s footsteps
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Growing up, Athira K. Pillai dreamed of following in her father’s footsteps and turning into a soldier.
Her cherished dream got here true 4 years in the past when she joined Assam Rifles, the oldest paramilitary power in India. Ms. Pillai, then 21-year-old, from Bharanikavu in Alappuzha left for the Northeast so excited because it was her likelihood to serve the nation as a servicewoman. After serving in unstable Nagaland and Manipur, she moved to conflict-ridden Jammu and Kashmir earlier this yr.
She is a member of a ‘Rifle Women’ unit of the Assam Rifles being deployed in Ganderbal within the valley. The lone Keralite within the unit, Ms. Pillai works within the Information Warfare squad however usually does robust soldiering. “My father Keshava Pillai served the nation as a soldier of the Assam Rifles. He died 13 years ago. I always wanted to become a soldier like my father. I love this uniform and am proud to serve my country,” says Ms. Pillai, 25, including that her greatest power was fearlessness.
Being a part of the Information Warfare squad, she is concerned within the assortment of significant data together with bridging the hole by constructing bonds with native individuals particularly womenfolk. “Before we came to Ganderbal, the local people had never seen women soldiers. Women and girls were so reluctant to talk. They feared us. Now the situation has changed. They have started to interact and girls are taking selfies with us. We try to alleviate the fear factor and instil confidence in the local populace. Many young girls are looking up to us for inspiration and want to dream big,” she says.
Ms. Pillai and different members of the all-women unit are often deployed for patrolling, whereas additionally being known as to help male troopers throughout security-related operations. They assist in frisking girls and youngsters, conducting cordon and search operations. “We cope with girls and all the time act professionally with a humane contact,” she says.
The younger soldier, who’s married to Smitheesh Parameswaran Pillai, is planning to return dwelling for depart subsequent month.
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