By Chadani Hamal, Kathmandu, Mar. 8: Narvada Thapa completed her bachelor’s degree in nursing in 1989 AD. As her father was in the Indian army, she grew up overhearing stories about brave soldiers.

Thapa had a strong desire to join the military but there was no opportunity within the country to join the Army force.

This didn’t stop her from being an armywoman as she didn’t let go the opportunity of joining the military from tech-appointment.  

Thapa was the only lady to apply for the job and hence she entered Nepal Army (NA) as the only lady officer and she herself paved the way to become Brigadier General, one of the high ranking posts in the army.

Brigadier General is the highest rank a woman has ever held in NA.

“At times, it was awkward to be the only lady in the entire group. I used to believe that I was different and courageous in the entire batch,” Thapa said, reminiscing her past.

During 1996 Maoists’ conflict, she went to the conflict areas for management of the conflict and for the treatment of the victims.

Thapa also got her doctorate degree while she was in the NA.

“NA offers great opportunities for women in the technical field,” she said.

However, Thapa believes that women still have to face a lot of constraints in the combatant field. “Physical abilities of women, lack of proper management of NA in rural areas are the major reason behind it,” she said.

Thapa retired two years ago. During her time, only 10 women were in the NA from technical field.

Women Excellent in military as well

Women are also excellent in combatant field. When the nation was facing armed conflict, NA opened admission for women officer cadets for the first time in 2005.

Rekha Khatri was in dilemma about joining the NA during the peak time of conflict. She, however, submitted the application.

Khatri however, didn’t have to participate in conflict as when Khatri’s batch passed out, the armed conflict had ended and people’s movement had started.

 “We had received and we have been receiving every war-trainings given to men,” Khatri said. “Even though it used to be difficult physically at times, we never gave up.”

According to the international standards, trainings given to women are less intense compared to men.

For an instance, if a man has to complete a race in 11 minutes, a woman has to complete it in 14 minutes. Likewise, if a man lifts 18Kg weights, woman lifts 12kg.

However, both men and women have to follow and maintain same degree of chain of command, discipline and responsibility.

Competing with the men, Khatri also became Major of the NA. She is the leader of a separate women’s company in NA.

She leads an army of 175 army personnels at the Narayanhiti musuem-based company.

A number of opportunities await for women after entering the NA, she said. 

She said that NA offered various opportunities such as entering the peacekeeping force, education, international trainings and so forth.