As the sun rises over Kartavya Path on January 26, 2026 and India celebrates its 77th Republic Day, among the marching contingents, one will stand out for its uniqueness: the Remount and Veterinary Corps (RVC) animal contingent, led for the first time by a woman officer, Captain Harshita Raghav.
A second-generation officer, Harshita is the daughter of a retired Group Captain from the Indian Air Force. Her childhood was nomadic, typical of defence forces children, with schooling across Kendriya Vidyalayas in various parts of India — from the Northeast to the South, Central regions to Maharashtra. “As a fauji kid, we get to visit so many places,” she recalls. This mobility instilled adaptability, but her true passion emerged early: animals. From childhood, she dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. “Ever since I knew there was a person who could treat animals, I decided to become that person,” she says. Seeing her father in uniform daily inspired her to merge that dream with service in the Armed Forces.
A poignant childhood memory underscores her bond with animals. At age eight, she rescued an injured stray dog, secretly nursing its wounds and sneaking it into her room at night. When her parents discovered and relocated the dog, young Harshita’s protest was firm — she refused to attend school until the pet returned. Her determination prevailed; the dog, who lived to 17 years, became a cherished family member.
Harshita pursued her childhood ambition with a Bachelor’s in Veterinary Science from Mumbai Veterinary College. When the RVC began inducting women officers in 2023, she seized the opportunity. She was among the first batch of four women commissioned that year. “It is the perfect combo—being in the Armed Forces and serving animals,” she reflects. Selection was fiercely competitive, yet her excellence shone through. During training at the Officers Training Academy and the RVC Centre and College in Meerut, she earned the “Best Officer” award in her batch of 20, recognized for conduct, leadership, and overall performance.
The 20-week training was rigorous and equal for all — no discrimination based on gender. “It combined basic military skills, where they teach you to become an officer. With weapon training, drill, physical fitness standards, with specialised technical veterinary care for equines and canines in service. “Military training is equal for all,” she emphasizes.
Leading the RVC contingent is a profound honor for this officer in her late 20s. “All four women officers are equally capable,” Harshita notes, attributing her selection to her proven record.
Preparation has been intense, spanning months. Training animals, keeping them healthy demands understanding their behaviour and neurology. “Animals can’t speak,” she explains. “We have to read their signals and be proactive.” She knows each animal individually — Ronak might behave one way, Disco another —fostering unique bonds.” No two animals are the same and they are all my favourites,” she insists, refusing to pick one. She adds that handling the animals has not been a challenge for her as the five-year veterinary course teaches them to deal with all species and gives them sufficient practical exposure too.
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The Corps has participated in Republic Day parades before, including an all-dog contingent in 2016, but this year’s line-up — Bactrian camels, Zanskar ponies, raptors, and indigenous breeds — is a first on Kartavya Path, spotlighting high-altitude and diverse capabilities. These animals are not mere participants; they are integral to the Army’s operations, embodying endurance in extreme terrains from high-altitude borders to disaster zones.
Harshita views this as elevating visibility for the Corps’ contributions. “These are silent warriors,” she says. “Their work is recognised, but this parade highlights their role.” As a child, Harshita watched Republic Day parades religiously, enchanted by “bahadur bachche (brave children)” riding elephants down the path. She would ask her parents what bravery she needed to join them. Decades later, her father reminded her of those innocent questions. “I still have the photographic memory of seeing those kids sit on the elephants and go down the Kartavya Path. Now I will be there too,” she says, her voice carrying the weight of fulfilled childhood wonder.
On Monday as Captain Harshita Raghav leads her contingent—animals marching in disciplined formation—she will embody progress: a veterinarian’s skill fused with an officer’s resolve, a daughter’s carrying forward her father’s legacy, and the Army’s evolving inclusivity on full display. For the millions watching, it will be a reminder that true strength often walks on four legs, guided by those who listen to the unspoken.
Sunanda Mehta is the Resident Editor of The Indian Express in Pune. She is a distinguished journalist, columnist, and author with over three decades of experience in the media industry.
Educational background: A merit-lister in her 12 th in CBSE (5th rank in Humanities) Sunanda stood first in History in the Board for which she was awarded the Dr Tarachand Gold Medal. She is a triple-graduate with a Bachelor of Arts (History Honours) from Lady Shri Ram College, New Delhi, Bachelor of Education, Delhi University (on scholarship) and Bachelor of Communication and Journalism, University of Pune.
Professional Background
Role: As Resident Editor, she oversees the Pune edition of The Indian Express, managing local news coverage, investigative features, and editorial direction for the city.
Author: She is an accomplished author, known for her biographies. Her notable books include:
The Extraordinary Life and Death of Sunanda Pushkar published by Pan Macmillan (2019). The book was long-listed for the Atta Galatta award for nonfiction and Auther award for best debut author.
Majestic Musings - Translation of poems from 100 year old Badshaian from Punjabi to English (2023)
Behind the Big Screen- the untold stories of child actors published by Bloomsbury India (2024)
Focus Areas: While Sunanda has reported on various subjects from civic to political to investigative
and crime, her forte remains long-form human-interest stories, heritage and gender issues.
Core Column: "Against All Odds"
Sunanda curates and writes a signature series titled "Against All Odds," which profiles individuals who have overcome significant personal, medical, or professional challenges.
Recent notable articles (2025)
The Story of Dr. Harinder Dhaliwal (July 2025): A Pune AFMC topper who became a neurologist in Canada despite becoming paraplegic.
Jayoo Patwardhan’s Cancer Journey (Jan 2025): How the National Film Award-winning designer defeated cancer.
Partha Iyengar’s Emergency mid-air (Aug 2025): The story of how Gartner’s India head survived a massive heart attack during a long-haul flight.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)
Her recent reportage continues to explore deep personal narratives and Pune’s socio-environmental landscape:
1. Personal Narratives & Closure
"'I grieved for him 10 years after his murder, found closure to unsolved case'" (Dec 14, 2025): A poignant feature on Vineet Alurkar, son of the late Pune music legend Suresh Alurkar, and how digitizing his father’s collection helped him heal.
"A 40-day journey home: how Christopher Benninger's partner gave him the gift of memories" (Nov 23, 2025): A moving tribute to the late acclaimed architect Christopher Benninger and his final trip to the US.
"'After 38 years I finally met my biological mother'" (Sept 28, 2025): Chronicling the journey of an adopted daughter from Zurich searching for her roots in Pune.
2. Civic & Heritage
"'Vetal Tekdi belongs to common citizens'" (Oct 20, 2025): An interview with environmental activist Dr. Sushma Date on the community-led protection of Pune’s vital green lungs.
"'Military village' Apshinge recalls living through war days" (Aug 12, 2025): A report from a village in Maharashtra where nearly every household has a member in the armed forces, focusing on their legacy and current anxieties.
3. High-Profile Commentary & Investigations
"Malegaon blast acquittals: 'I was expecting this verdict'" (July 31, 2025): An interview with former special public prosecutor Rohini Salian following the controversial acquittals.
"Grounded, license cancelled... she decided to soar higher" (March 30, 2025): The story of Dr. Harpreet A De Singh, Air India’s first woman pilot from 1988, and her transition to leadership and meditation.
Signature Style
Sunanda Mehta is known for her empathetic storytelling. Unlike standard news reporting, her features often read like narrative non-fiction, focusing on the psychological and emotional resilience of her subjects. One of her articles in The Indian Express titled 'The Quality of Mercy' was converted into a film Rubaru Roshini produced by actor Aamir Khan.
She is a strong advocate for Pune's heritage and environment, frequently using her platform to amplify citizen-led movements.
X (Twitter): @sunandamehta and @ExpressPune ... Read More
