As her father retires from the Navy, Cadet Ann Rose marches into the Army as part of NDA’s maiden batch of women cadets

When the NDA opened its doors to women in 2021, Ann Rose – who grew up in Kochi – did not hesitate. She cracked the exam in 2022, joined the 148th course, and began three years of rigorous training.

As the parade came to an end, Ann’s father Commander Mathew stood among hundreds of families, his salute now offered not from senior to junior, but from father to officer. (Photo: Sourced)

As the sun rose over the Khetarpal Parade Ground in Maharashtra’s Khadakwasla last week, a woman stepped into a new identity just as her father stepped out of his. Ann Rose, part of the National Defence Academy’s (NDA) historic first batch of 17 women cadets, passed out as part of the 148th course on May 30. Sitting in the audience just a month into his retirement from the Indian Navy was Commander M P Mathew, who watched his daughter don the olive green – not his Navy whites – but her own chosen colour of courage.

“I never imagined it would align like this,” said Commander Mathew. “But maybe some stories are written beyond our planning. I retired from the Navy on April 30. She marched out on May 30. A coincidence? Maybe. But it feels magical.”

Born into the rhythm of salutes, sirens, and shifting stations, Ann spent her school years at the Navy Children School in Kochi, Kerala. When the government opened NDA’s doors to women in 2021, she did not hesitate. Ann cracked the exam in 2022, joined the 148th course, and began three years of rigorous, unforgiving training, shoulder-to-shoulder with male cadets, with no concessions or shortcuts.

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What stood out wasn’t just her physical strength or mental resilience, it was her clarity. “She had options,” Commander Mathew said. “She ranked among the top cadets and could have chosen any wing, but she picked the Army. That was her decision, fully her own. I served the Navy with pride for over three decades. Now she carries that same flame forward, in her way. As a father, I couldn’t be more content.”

Ann represents a new chapter, not just for the NDA or the armed forces, but for the countless girls who once believed that drill squares and stars on shoulders were out of their reach. With her passing out, she turns the page not just for herself, but for generations of girls who will now see the military not as a male preserve, but as a possibility.

There was one more father-daughter duo at the passing out parade who shared a special bond. Division Cadet Captain (DCC) Shreeti Daksh, who topped the Arts stream at the NDA, and her father, retired Wing Commander Yogesh Kumar Daksh, are both from the Hunter or ‘H’ Squadron of the academy. Wing Commander Daksh, a helicopter pilot, retired from the IAF six years ago. He was part of the Hunter Squadron over 30 years ago.

As the parade came to an end, Ann’s father Commander Mathew stood among hundreds of families, his salute now offered not from senior to junior, but from father to officer. No pomp. No slogans. Just a quiet tear in the eye of a retired officer, and the silent strength in the stride of a new one.

Divyaja Kalyankar is an intern with The Indian Express.

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