The Story of Shanti Tigga, India’s First Female Jawan in The Army Who Outdid Everyone During Her Recruitment Camp

Shanti Tigga made history as the first female jawan in the Indian army. Breaking social stereotypes, she out performed everyone during her recruitment camp.

Edited By: Jigyasa Sahay

Published: July 26, 2024, 1:16 PM IST

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https://www.india.com/lifestyle/the-story-of-shanti-tigga-indias-first-female-jawan-in-the-army-who-outdid-everyone-during-her-recruitment-camp-7115228/ Copy

Shanti Tigga received an award from former President Pratibha Patil (PC: Twitter)

For the longest time, women were not allowed on the combat field in the Indian army. Earlier women were inducted for non-combat roles. Shanti Tigga became the first ever female jawan in the defense. She is known to have outdone everyone on her camp. Shanti hailed from Jalpaiguri district in West Bengal

#DidYouKnow: Late Shanti Tigga was the First female Jawan to join the Indian Territorial Army. pic.twitter.com/7FYP96GLuI

— Prasar Bharati प्रसार भारती (@prasarbharati) March 12, 2016

All About Shanti Tigga

Shanti Tigga hailed from West Bengal. She was married off at 17 and soon became a mother of two kids. Her life altered after her husband passed away in 2005. Reportedly, as per compensation, Tigga was offered a job in Indian Railways. Later, she enlisted for country’s defense forces. In 2011, she signed up for 969 Railway Engineer Regiment and was enlisted in the Indian army at 35. In one of her interviews she had mentioned that joining the Indian army and wearing that olive green uniform had been her dream.

Word has it that Tigga outperformed everyone during her camp, evn the male counterparts. She overcame all the challenges that society threw her way.

However, life took a drastic turn in 2013 when she was abducted by unverified perpetrators. She was found tired on the railway tracks blindfolded.

She was immediately hospitalised and kept under observation. But, one morning she was found hanging in a hospital washroom. While her family claims it to be a murder, some reports claim it to be suicide. The investigation over her mysterious and tragic death never yielded any results.

But, till date, Shanti Tigga is known for her resilience and simplicity.