Kanika Rane, Wife of Martyred Major Kaustubh Rane, Joins Indian Army as Lieutenant in POP Held at OTA Chennai

Kanika Rane, wife of Major Kaustubh Rane, who attained martyrdom while fighting terrorist in Jammu and Kashmir, joined the Indian Army as commissioned officer on Saturday in a Passing Out Parade (POP) held at the Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai.

Kanika Rane was commissioned into the Indian Army as Lieutenant. After the Pipping ceremony, Lt Rane said that she joined the Indian Army to fulfil the objectives of Major Rane. Lt Rane added that for training at the OTA, physical endurance is required, but more than that it is the mental strength that required. She cleared her Services Selection Board (SSB) interview in widows’ category in her first attempt.

Major Rane was among the soldiers who were martyred on August 7, 2018, while fighting with terrorists in Gurez sector of Jammu and Kashmir’s Bandipora district. The officer belonged to Mira Road area of Thane district, adjoining Mumbai. In March this year, Kanika had collected the gallantry medal of her husband. Garima Abrol, Widow of Squadron Leader Samir Abrol of Indian Air Force, Clears SSB Interview, Will Join Air Force Academy in January 2020.

Interview by Kanika Rane After Becoming Officer:

Dedicated to the Youth of India!
Mrs Kanika Rane who collected the gallantry medal of her braveheart husband #MajorKaustubhRane this year during the Investiture Ceremony at Udhampur, speaks to us today, as Lt Kanika Rane! @SpokespersonMoD pic.twitter.com/b6C7llxweZ

— PRO Udhampur, Ministry of Defence (@proudhampur) November 21, 2020

On Saturday, a total of 250 gentlemen cadets (GCs) passed out of the OTA. Forty-nine were women cadets, while 20 GCs were from friendly foreign countries. Twenty of the total foreign GCs were from Bhutan, while 10 from Afghanistan. COVID-19 protocols were followed during the POP. For parents of cadets, arrangements were made to live stream the entire online. Kanika Rane, Wife of Martyred Major Kaustubh Rane of Indian Army, Set to Join Officers Training Academy in October.

Initially, the event was to take place in September. However, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the POP was postponed to November. Lieutenant General RP Singh, General Officer in Commanding-Chief Western Command reviewed the POP.

The sword of honour and the gold medal were awarded to Varun Ganapathy. Meanwhile, silver medal was awarded to to Mahadev Singh Rathore and Patil Dhiraj Patangrao bagged the bronze medal.