Chennai: Lieutenant Parul Dhadwal made history on Saturday as she became the first woman officer from a distinguished five-generation military family.
Lt Dhadwal was commissioned into the Indian Army Ordnance Corps after passing out from the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai. She also received the President’s Gold Medal for securing first place in the Order of Merit in her course.
Lt Dhadwal is from Janauri village in Punjab’s Hoshiarpur district, a region known for strong military tradition.
It was over 125 years ago that the Dhadwal family’s service to the Army started. Parul’s great-great-grandfather Subedar Harnam Singh served in the 74 Punjabis from January 1, 1896 to July 16, 1924. Her great-grandfather Major L S Dhadwal, served with 3 JAT. The third generation included two officers — Colonel Daljit Singh Dhadwal (7 JAK RIF) and Brigadier Jagat Jamwal (3 KUMAON).
Parul’s father, Major General K S Dhadwal, SM, VSM, and her brother, Captain Dhananjay Dhadwal, are currently serving with 20 SIKH.
With Lt Parul donning the Olive Green uniform, the family currently has three serving officers from two generations – in itself a rare achievement.
The Indian Army congratulated Lt Dhadwal and praised her family’s long-standing dedication to the nation.
“Lt Parul Dhadwal is a saga of a family dedicated to service to the Motherland. A proud descendant of a long lineage of brave soldiers, she represents the fifth-generation who now dons the Olive Green in continuation of a deeply rooted family legacy,” the Army wrote in a post on X.