Meet Lieutenant Tanishka Damodaran: A 3rd Generation Army Officer Carrying the Torch of Valor

In a world where dreams are often shaped by legacy and nurtured by determination, Lieutenant Tanishka Damodaran stands as a shining example of courage, commitment, and deep-rooted patriotism. As a third-generation Indian Army officer and the first woman in her family to wear the olive green, she is not just continuing a legacy she is rewriting it.

A Legacy Forged in Service and Sacrifice

For Lieutenant Tanishka, the Indian Army isn’t just a career choice it’s a way of life passed down through generations. Her grandfather served the nation valiantly in the 1965 and 1971 wars and was decorated with the Sena Medal. Her father, Colonel Sanil Damodaran, and her uncle, Colonel Sanjay Damodaran, served in elite Para Special Forces, defending the country in harsh terrains like Siachen, Jammu & Kashmir, and the North East. Now, the baton has been handed to Tanishka the daughter of this proud lineage who has taken her place in uniform with unmatched poise and grit.

A Parade Ground Moment Etched in History

At the Passing Out Parade at the Officers Training Academy (OTA) Chennai, Tanishka didn’t just march with her course she led them. As Parade Commander, she thundered out 54 precise commands, her voice echoing across the parade ground once graced by her grandfather decades ago. Her drill, her sword angle, and her bearing were so impeccable that officers across generations reached out to congratulate the family.

Her efforts were recognized with a silver medal for second in order of merit, gold medals for marching and shooting, and the coveted Corps of Signals medal a testament to her holistic excellence.

A Daughter’s Salute, A Father’s Tears

In one of the most emotional moments of the ceremony, Tanishka marched smartly to her father and offered her first salute as a commissioned officer. That simple yet powerful gesture brought tears to her family’s eyes a daughter saluting her father, a soldier saluting another.

Her mother, Mrs. Anupama Damodaran, witnessing her first PoP, described it as “a dream come true.” Sitting beside her was her 84-year-old mother, reminiscing how her own father had passed out from the same ground.

From Cadet to Commission: The Journey of Grit

Tanishka's journey began with the National Cadet Corps (NCC), where she proved her mettle and earned a direct entry to the SSB. Cracking the Service Selection Board in her first attempt, she carried her discipline and dedication into the academy. An under-19 cricket player for Karnataka, she balanced academics, sports, and service ambitions with remarkable ease.

Now commissioned into the Army Service Corps, she will begin her journey in Srinagar, ready to shoulder real-time responsibilities and contribute meaningfully to the operational functioning of her unit.

Dreaming Beyond: The PARA ASC Ambition

Tanishka’s story doesn’t end with her commissioning it’s only the beginning. Her next dream is even more challenging: earning the maroon beret of the Para ASC, a path that demands supreme physical fitness and resilience. She is already preparing for this phase training, dreaming, and aspiring higher.

A Message for Every Aspiring Daughter

Lieutenant Tanishka Damodaran is not just a young officer in the Indian Army. She is a beacon of inspiration for every young girl who dreams of wearing the uniform. She embodies what it means to honor the past, excel in the present, and pave the way for the future.

As her mother says, “We advise her to walk on the right path and make the best out of every moment because time never comes back.”

And that is exactly what Tanishka is doing one salute, one step, and one dream at a time.