Platoon Matrons in Indian Schools

Platoon Matrons in Indian SchoolsWomen in the Indian Army are a major reason why women's field matrons in Indian schools should be given a concept of Platoon to attract their attention. A Platoon is a combat-type formation, in which four to eight squads are present. The soldiers in Platoon, also known as Platoon Leaders or Platoon Sergeants, lead all the other members of the Platoon in combat.The type of environment that is conducive for women soldiers cannot be replicated in a place where there is no man around. Without men around to witness and direct the actions of female soldiers, female soldiers cannot form strong bonds. In fact, it is the constant exposure to the male world that makes these bonds stronger and more resilient. Such is the status of women in the Indian Army.When women first entered the Indian Army, they had to go through a lot of training and were taught much more by men. Many of the women soldiers had to be sent back home because the other members of the Platoon were unable to recognize and follow the requirements of women. This was clearly unacceptable from the point of view of the women's perspective.The Indian Army has worked hard to bridge the gap between men and women. They have started work on a female fighting squadron in a well-hidden location in the jungles of the Northeast. Even the Indian Army has been putting in efforts to ensure that a sense of family is maintained between the male and female soldiers. While the number of female soldiers is still minuscule, it is slowly growing day by day.The new women warriors of the Northeast have always been bold and dynamic and their courage and motivation have received the public's admiration. In fact, it is so well-received that the famous author Vikram Seth, during his visit to India a few years ago, wrote an interesting piece about the public's admiration for the platoons. He also noted that women have more to offer to the Indian Army than the fighting capability that they display durin g the Platoon Drill.While this report made it clear that the women of the Indian Army were more than capable of putting up a good fight, it did not give any reason for women to go and join the armed forces. There were hardly any studies done on the subject and even there were no guidelines or rules to choose between a 'dual' or a 'mixed' service. Only, the women who took up jobs as instructors, clerks and non-combat positions were identified, but no one seemed to be interested in the working conditions that these women had to work in.Now, there is an official policy to follow in dealing with the problem of women in the Indian Army. The female Platoon Leaders is placed in the female barracks in combat roles. The women can help out as Bar Bque and Platoon Sergeants when required but the women who are non-combatant members of the Platoon will do the same as they always have.For now, the women in the Indian Army will have to wait for some time before their opportunities for promotion in crease. It is not too late to change the fate of the women of the Indian Army.