Lt Gen Sadhna Saxena Nair's Historic Visit to AMC Centre & College Highlights Gender Diversity in Military Leadership
Lt Gen Sadhna Saxena Nair, who became the first woman to hold the position of Director General Medical Services in the Army, visited the Army Medical Corps (AMC) Centre & College on September 16, 2025. This significant occasion came after she took on the role on August 1, 2024, marking a new chapter in gender diversity within India's military leadership.
During her visit, Lt Gen Nair paid her respects at the AMC War Memorial, known as 'Shraddhanjali', and inspected a Guard of Honour, which paid tribute to the corps' legacy. In her address at a Sainik Sammelan, she encouraged the medical personnel to adhere to the motto "Sarve Santu Niramaya" (Let all be healthy), a phrase deeply rooted in ancient Sanskrit literature such as the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra.
Findings from a 2019 study published in the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine affirm her stance, showing that traditional wellness practices bolster troop resilience by integrating cultural heritage with contemporary military health strategies.
Another significant moment during the visit was the unveiling of the sixth edition of the 'Charak' journal, named after the 2nd-century physician Charaka, whose contributions have had a lasting impact on global medicine. This gesture represents the AMC's commitment to enhancing medical knowledge, particularly in light of ongoing border tensions following May 2025 ceasefire talks between India and Pakistan led by DGMO Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai. Lt Gen Nair also interacted with MOBC and BNOC officers, urging them to remain prepared and committed to serving the nation.
The ceremonies and interactions that marked her visit highlight her influential leadership and the progressive developments in military medicine in India.
