Captain Divya Ajith Kumar is an officer of the Indian Army of AAD. She passed out from OTA, Chennai. She is the first woman to write her name in a fresh page of Indian Army history by becoming the first Lady Cadet to be conferred by the Army with the coveted Sword of Honour. She led all women contingent of 154 women officers and cadets during the Republic Day 2015 parade.
Early life and education
Captain Divya Ajith Kumar born in Chennai to a Tamil family. She is the first generation soldier with no army blood history in her past. She did her schooling at Good Shepherd Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Chennai and went to Stella Maris College, Chennai where she completed her B.Com.. She joined NCC which inspired her to join Indian Army and participated in NCC women contingent in Rajpath and later joined OTA. She passed from OTA. Divya Ajith Kumar became the first woman in the history of the Indian Army to receive the coveted ‘Sword of Honour' prize, which is awarded to the best cadet, where she passed with a total of 244 cadets, including 63 women. She is also a multi-faceted personality, Divya is also an accomplished Bharatanatyam dancer, percussionist and well-versed in sports like basketball and discus throw.
Military career
Captain Divya Ajith Kumar was commissioned into Corps of Army Air Defense on September 2010. Capt Divya also jointly topped the Young Officers' course of the Army Air Defence College in 2011 and was awarded the Silver Gun Trophy. Captain Divya Ajith Kumar led the first all-women contingent of the Army on Republic Day. She led a contingent of 154 women officers and cadets during the parade, where US President Barack Obama was present as the chief guest. Nearly 200 women officers from all over the country had come down to the OTA, and after a rigorous selection process, 126 officers, and 28 women cadets from the academy were selected for the parade. Captain Divya Ajith Kumar was selected to lead the contingent. She now teaches at Officers Training Academy in Chennai and travels to schools and colleges to talk to students and inspire them to consider a life serving the nation by choosing a career in the Armed Forces. She has inspired many women to join the armed forces.
