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 animal contingent of the Remount and Veterinary Corps (RVC), led for the first time by a woman officer, Captain Harshita Raghav.
Harshita, a second generation officer, is the daughter of a retired Group Captain of the Indian Air Force. His childhood was nomadic, typical of defense forces children, and he attended school in Kendriya Vidyalayas in various parts of India, from the northeast to the south, from the central regions to Maharashtra. “When we were fauji children, we visited many places,” he recalls. This mobility instilled adaptability in him, but his true passion emerged early: animals. Since I was little I dreamed of being a veterinarian. “Ever since I knew there was a person who could treat animals, I decided to become that person,” he says. Seeing her father in uniform every day inspired her to merge that dream with service in the Armed Forces.
A touching childhood memory underscores his bond with animals. At the age of eight, he rescued an injured stray dog, secretly treated its wounds, and snuck it into his 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. His determination prevailed; The dog, who lived to be 17 years old, became a beloved member of the family.
Harshita pursued her childhood ambition with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science from Bombay Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. When the RVC began inducting female officers in 2023, it jumped at the opportunity. She was among the first group of four women commissioned that year. “It is the perfect combination: being in the Armed Forces and serving animals,” he reflects. The selection was fiercely competitive, but their excellence shined through. During his training at the Officer Training Academy and RVC Center and College in Meerut, he bagged the ‘Best Officer’ award among his 20, recognized for his conduct, leadership and overall performance.
The 20-week training was rigorous and equal for all – no gender discrimination. “It combined basic military skills, where they teach you how to be an officer. With weapons training, exercises, physical fitness standards, with specialized veterinary technical care for equines and canines in service. “Military training is the same for everyone,” he emphasizes.
Leading the RVC contingent is a deep honor for the twenty-something officer. “All four women officers are equally capable,” notes Harshita, attributing their selection to their proven track record.
The preparation has been intense and has lasted months. Training animals and keeping them healthy requires understanding their behavior and neurology. “Animals can’t talk,” he explains. “We have to read their signals and be proactive.” She knows each animal individually (Ronak may behave one way, Disco another), fostering unique bonds. “No two animals are the same and they are all my favorites,” she insists, refusing to choose one. She adds that handling animals has not been a challenge for her as the five-year veterinary course teaches them to deal with all species and also provides them with enough practical experience.
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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, birds of prey and indigenous breeds – is a first for Kartavya Path, highlighting diverse and high-altitude capabilities. These animals are not mere participants; They are an integral part of Army operations and represent resilience in extreme terrain, from high-altitude borders to disaster zones.
Harshita believes this increases the visibility of the Corps’ contributions. “These are silent warriors,” he says. “Their work is recognized, but this parade highlights their role.” As a child, Harshita religiously watched Republic Day parades, enchanted by the “bahadur bachche (brave children)” who rode elephants along the road. He would ask his parents what courage he needed to join them. Decades later, his father reminded him of those innocent questions. “I still have the photographic memory of seeing those children sitting on the elephants and going down the Kartavya trail. Now I will be there too,” he says, his voice heavy with the weight of realized childlike wonder.
On Monday, when Captain Harshita Raghav leads her contingent (animals marching in disciplined formation), she will embody progress: a veterinarian’s skill fused with an officer’s determination, a daughter’s daughter carrying forward her father’s legacy and the Army’s evolving inclusivity on full display. For millions of viewers, it will be a reminder that true strength often walks on all fours, guided by those who listen to the unsaid.
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