Brother-sister duo from rural background set to become Army officers

A brother and sister duo from a remote village are set to become Army officers at the same time and also setting a precedent by becoming the first in their village to wear stars on their epaulettes.

Officer Cadet Priyanshu Dixit and Officer Cadet (Women) Mansi Dixit will be pipped as Lieutenants during the Passing Out Parade at the Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai on March 7.

“They share a journey rooted in an early fascination with the uniform and the disciplined ethos of the armed forces. They were destined to become the first Commissioned Officers of the Indian Army from their village,” the Army Training Command said on Friday.

While Priyanshu was part of the 40 UP NCC Battalion, Sikandrabad and joined the OTA through the NCC Special Entry Scheme, Mansi made her way through the Combined Defence Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission, figuring among the top five in the final merit list. The OTA trains short service commission officers.

The siblings did their schooling from a faraway school, commuting a distance of 15 km to and from their home.

The siblings provided support and mentoring to each other. Where one provided moral strength, the other offered practical insight and together, they became pillars of support for each other, culminating in their selection to the Academy, according to information shared by the Army.

“Running to school side by side with dreams in their eyes, little did they know that one day they would march together toward a life of Guts and Glory. The siblings had arrived; proud Officers with Josh and Junoon for their Armed Forces and Country,” the Army said.