Historic Achievement: First Woman Subedar in the Army, a Champion Shooter

In a historic achievement, Havildar Preeti Rajak, an accomplished trap shooter, has been elevated to the esteemed rank of Subedar in the Indian Army, marking her as the first woman to attain this distinction, as announced by the army in a statement on Saturday.

Havildar Preeti Rajak, renowned for her prowess in trap shooting, has been applauded by the army as an extraordinary demonstration of Nari Shakti.

Rajak embarked on her military journey by joining the Corps of Military Police in December 2022. The pinnacle of her achievements was reached at the 19th Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China, in 2022, where Rajak secured a silver medal in the trap women team event, adding luster to her already illustrious career.

In recognition of her outstanding performance, Rajak received the first out-of-turn promotion to Subedar.

Currently holding the 6th rank in India for the trap women event, Rajak is actively honing her skills at the elite Army Marksmanship Unit in Mhow as she prepares for the upcoming Paris Olympics.

Her journey stands as a testament to not only her individual excellence but also as a symbol of breaking barriers and shattering gender norms within the esteemed ranks of the Indian Army.

_{Repurposed article originally published in the Hindustan Times}