He said that the armed forces have been on the alert round the clock since the killing of Al-Qeada Chief Osama Bin Laden in Abbotabad in Pakistan.
Minister was talking to media after receiving the IAF team which successfully hoisted the national flag and the IAF flag on Mount Everest with three of the seven summiteers being women.
On Pakistan possessing nuclear weapons, he said “we are closely monitoring what is happening around us. We know Pakistan is strengthening its nuclear arsenal. We are also taking care of it. We aren’t unduly worried of that, because we are capable of meeting nuclear threats. Our only worry is Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal not going into hands of militants and terrorists.”
To a question of induction of women in the armed forces, he said “it is a process which has started and things have changed gradually.”Admitting that at one time the armed forces was male dominated, he said “two years back we decided to give permanent commission to lady officers in several streams of the armed forces. Recently at a meeting of the three service chiefs, I told them that you have to open up more streams in the three services for lady officers. More streams will open up for lady officrs in the years to come.”
On IAF women personnel climbing Mount Everest, he said that it was most heartening to see the IAF providing equal opportunities to women officers to participate in adventure sports like mountaineering. Earlier, such sports were considered to be largely a domain of the males.
He said the courage, physical strength, stamina and mental toughness required to reach the world’s highest peak needs no emphasis. Women officers have risen to the challenge and come out with flying colours, only to prove to the world that they are no less than men in any way.
“I hope this achievement will be yet another step in giving more representation to women in more streams of our Armed Forces and the society, in general,” he said.
Antony was sure the team, particularly the women, will inspire other women and the youth to aim for higher glory. As the leader of the expedition Group Captain N.K. Dahiya said that one of the most memorable moments was when Flt Lt Nivedita radioed a message at 10A.M. on May 21 from the Summit “Sir I am on Summit” after she alongwith Corporal Raju Sindhu reached the top of the world’s highest peak. Another feather in the cap of IAF is that of the 11 who scaled Everest this year, seven belong to the IAF.
“I am very proud and what is indeed significant is three lady officers reaching the Summit and accolades also to the supporting staff. The entire expedition involved meticulous planning,” said Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik.