Computer Science Engineer Major Shweta Pandey, The Army Officer Who Assisted PM Modi In Unfurling The Tricolor

As a part of Independence Day celebrations, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi unfurled the national flag at Red Fort, many of us witnessed a proud moment. During the unfurling the tricolor, the PM is always assisted by an army officer. This year it was a lady officer: Major Shweta Pandey. 

Major Shweta Pandey is an EME (Electronics & Mechanical Engineer) officer and CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear) defense expert. She belongs to the 505 base workshop of the army.

A few days ago, the Ministry of Defence announced her appointment for the role during the 74th Independence Day celebrations:

Major Shweta Pandey will assist the Prime Minister in unfurling the national flag. The unfurling of the Tricolour will synchronize with the 21 Gun Salute fired by the valiant gunners of the elite 2233 Field Battery (ceremonial). The ceremonial battery will be commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Jitendra Singh Mehta and the Gun Position Officer will be Naib Subedar (AIG), Anil Chand

Belonging to Lucknow, Major Shweta led the first-ever Tri-Services Indian Armed Forces contingent at the Victory Day parade in Moscow, a few months ago. Also, she was the first woman officer from the country to hold the tricolor during the event.

After completing her engineering in Computer Science, Major Shweta has been in service since 2012. She has won over 75 medals and 250 certificates through participation in events like debates, speeches, etc. 

Her mother, Amita Pandey, is a Sanskrit and Hindi professor, and her father, Raj Ratan Pandey, worked as an additional director, finance, for the UP government.

At IFORHER, we are celebrating this proud moment with the rest of the country. It is quite inspiring how real heroes like Major Shweta are inspiring young women across the country and sending across the strong message: “Courage has no Gender!”